Popular Shows by Meny Hoffman מני הופמן
273 episodes
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Name
Release Date
Duration
101
How to Build and Sustain a High-Performing Team—with Ira Zlotowitz
How to Build and Sustain a High-Performing Team—with Ira Zlotowitz
Oct 25, 2021
42:30
We all know that a good team can make or break a business. But do you ever wish you could simply clone yourself and create a team of people just as motivated, knowledgeable, and passionate about your business as you are? Ira Zlotowitz, the founder and president of Eastern Union Funding, knows a thing or two about building and sustaining high-performing teams; he grew his own business from a four-person office to a company of over 100 people, closing roughly $5 billion in national loan volume in 2019 alone. In this practical, no-nonsense interview, we discuss how to cultivate a culture of excellence (starting from the very first interview); how to hire the right people; how to master the skill of delegation; and how to make your current employees more valuable to your company.
102
Changing Your Perspective Changes Everything—with Charlie Harary
Changing Your Perspective Changes Everything—with Charlie Harary
Nov 1, 2021
41:54
Often, we don’t realize that we are our greatest weapon for positive change and that changing our lives is all about perspective. Charlie Harary is a business executive, author, and prolific speaker known internationally for his charismatic, passionate, and sophisticated lectures, seminars, and keynote addresses. In this fascinating interview, he speaks about the mental obstacles that hold us back from achieving the joy, fulfillment, and success that we all crave, and how by rewiring our minds, we’re able to see the path that will lead us to the life we truly desire. He offers practical ways that business leaders can reframe our perspectives to achieve success, how to avoid the dangers of measuring ourselves against others, and the key to developing a company that is not just a service or a product, but a people-first business. Please listen and enjoy!
103
Breaking The Myth Of Multitasking—with Dave Crenshaw
Breaking The Myth Of Multitasking—with Dave Crenshaw
Nov 15, 2021
43:32
Do you ever wish you could be a more focused leader, a calmer thinker, a more productive worker? Do you ever get to the end of the day and wonder what you actually accomplished? This week’s guest is renowned productivity and time-management expert Dave Crenshaw. In our interview, Dave and I go in-depth on how leaders can maximize their most precious asset, time, leading to higher profits, higher quality of life, more time to spend with their families, and higher work satisfaction. We discuss the myth of multitasking and its huge costs to our businesses and happiness; why the most successful leaders say NO far more often than they say YES; how to determine which tasks to spend your time on and which to delegate… and more. This episode may just change the way you think about and spend your time.
104
How to Be Your Greatest Self Without Counting a Single Calorie
How to Be Your Greatest Self Without Counting a Single Calorie
Nov 22, 2021
37:05
What do celebrations, festivals, holidays, and birthdays have in common? It's the food. During these times, we tend to eat more than our usual intake of food, leading us to gain weight. What do we do then? Come and listen to our guest, Isaac Schulman, as he shares his story and experience in Dr. Bo's diet program. He explains the things we need to achieve our desired body and have the confidence, energy, and passion for moving towards more extraordinary things. Tune in as we dive deep into personal growth and transformation.
105
Creating “Moments Of Magic” Within Your Customer Experience―with Shep Hyken
Creating “Moments Of Magic” Within Your Customer Experience―with Shep Hyken
Nov 29, 2021
48:11
Winning over and retaining customers hinge on whether or not you can provide a great customer experience. If you want loyal customers, you have to build relationships with them and create “magic moments” that keep them coming. This is the central piece of our episode as Meny Hoffman sits down for an insightful talk with Shep Hyken, customer service and experience expert. Shep talks about how he learned to create great customer service experiences and why you need to have a gold standard. Tune in to learn more great customer service tips from Shep and Meny.
106
Disrupting The Mortgage Space With A Unique Startup―with Ira Zlotowitz
Disrupting The Mortgage Space With A Unique Startup―with Ira Zlotowitz
Dec 6, 2021
30:37
The best way to create a better market is to disrupt it first. You've all heard the stories of new innovations or technologies coming into the market then becoming the new market standard. That is what GPARENCY is doing when it comes to GPs and corporate real estate. Join your host Meny Hoffman and his guest Ira Zlotowitz on his latest venture, GPARENCY. Ira is the founder and CEO of GPARENCY and his goal is to make GPs the true owners of their entire CRE financing process. He wants you to take it to the bank directly, you don't need a broker anymore these days. Learn how he disrupts the market to build a better one.
107
How to Analyze Patterns of Growth In Your Businesses―with Les McKeown
How to Analyze Patterns of Growth In Your Businesses―with Les McKeown
Dec 13, 2021
31:33
It is true that every business out there is unique and one of a kind. Nevertheless, all entrepreneurs must monitor and analyze certain patterns of growth to predict their success. Growth consultant Les McKeown of Predictable Success LLC joins Meny Hoffman to share the single success roadmap every business must follow to expand and improve. He explains the best strategies in breaking down growth barriers, pumping up during decline times, choosing the right team players, and organizing an effective "choreography" that leads to big wins. Les also explains the qualities of a visionary leader and why every startup brand needs one if they want to level up.
108
When Sweat Equity Start-Ups Hit the Ground Running―with Steven Hoffman
When Sweat Equity Start-Ups Hit the Ground Running―with Steven Hoffman
Dec 20, 2021
42:06
Startups are the future. But not every startup idea survives. In fact, 90% of them fail. How do sweat equity startups hit the ground running in this extremely risky environment? In this episode, Steven Hoffman, also known as Captain Hoff, discusses how to survive the competitive market. Steven is the CEO of Founder Space, one of the world’s leading startup accelerators. He joins host Meny Hoffman to share practical strategies to help you overcome the many obstacles that come with starting a business. Steven maps out the process from developing an idea to forming a team. Tune in as he shares invaluable insights to help you grow from his latest book, Surviving a Startup.
109
Know Your Limitations: A Recipe to Propel You Forward—with Neal Hoffman
Know Your Limitations: A Recipe to Propel You Forward—with Neal Hoffman
Dec 27, 2021
38:57
What is the key to true growth? You have to know your limitations. Meny Hoffman welcomes Neal Hoffman, a creative marketer and creator of the Mensch on a Bench. Neal shares with Meny his successful journey of turning ideas into physical products. Along the way, Neal discovers his breaking point. The nice thing about getting to your breaking point is you know where it is. So it’s best to make intelligent decisions without taking giant bets. When you learn to do so, that’s when you truly grow. Do you want concrete examples of understanding limitations? Tune in and enjoy!
110
Cyber Security and IT Support: How to Prevent a Catastrophe—with Yiddy Lemmer
Cyber Security and IT Support: How to Prevent a Catastrophe—with Yiddy Lemmer
Jan 3, 2022
36:55
Have you been a victim of cyber-attacks? Did you experience having to share personal information because you were asked to? Join your host Meny Hoffman as he talks with Yiddy Lemmer about cybersecurity and strategies we can execute to avoid risking our company’s information. Yiddy Lemmer is the founder of an MSP that provides small to mid-sized businesses in NYC and surrounding areas with their technology and cybersecurity needs. While the world is getting more and more complicated, we need to practice protecting our systems and networks from attacks that could extract sensitive information. As entrepreneurs, we need to focus on understanding what we can do and develop these skills to grow our businesses. He discusses tips and strategies such as having a password manager for your virtual assistants and more. Tune in to this episode to have a smooth flow of business and protect your organization!
111
Sales Psychology 101: Finding the Why in How People Buy—with Victor Antonio Gonzalez
Sales Psychology 101: Finding the Why in How People Buy—with Victor Antonio Gonzalez
Jan 10, 2022
41:33
Although engaging marketing techniques and enticing offers are important elements of any sales strategy, connecting with your target market is always the name of the game. Giving more attention to sales psychology and understanding how and why people buy is one of the surest ways to build a thriving career. Meny Hoffman sits down with top sales executive Victor Antonio Gonzalez to discuss how to put yourself in the shoes of your preferred customers and design your sales strategies around that. Victor also shares the ideal process from prospecting to closing, why one strong closing line is enough, and the power of focusing on segmented markets.
112
The Four Essential Choices Every Leader Must Face—with Mark Miller
The Four Essential Choices Every Leader Must Face—with Mark Miller
Jan 17, 2022
44:07
Every problem is a leadership problem. Each day, organizations tackle innumerable problems that need solving before the work shift ends. As a leader, you have to be ready to make smart choices when dealing with these problems. Business leader, bestselling author, and communicator, Mark Miller, believes that the solution to each of these problems lie within the foundations of leadership. Together with Meny Hoffman, Mark discusses how he was able to figure out how to accelerate leadership development in his organization and how that opened doors for his career. Listen in and learn more as Mark shares the four most essential smart leadership choices you can make to foster a healthy work environment.
113
How & Why We Need to Delegate & Prioritize Processes—with Chris Ronzio
How & Why We Need to Delegate & Prioritize Processes—with Chris Ronzio
Jan 24, 2022
34:14
Managing growth is the hard part of having a business. In today's episode, Chris Ronzio is here to discuss how you can establish business processes that allow you to scale your business. Chris is the founder and CEO of Trainual and author of the bestselling book, The Business Playbook: How to Document and Delegate What You Do So Your Company Can Grow Beyond You. He highlights the importance of delegation and establishing processes as key ingredients to the success and growth of any business. Join in on his chat with host Meny Hoffman as they dive deep into the importance of SOPs and where to start on making them.
114
Solo Episode with an Exciting Announcement—with Meny Hoffman
Solo Episode with an Exciting Announcement—with Meny Hoffman
Jan 27, 2022
4:33
With Amazon and eCommerce aggregators flooding the business space, growth opportunities for businesses have become endless. But what does it mean for entrepreneurs and business leaders? On today’s show, Meny Hoffman introduces his new show, the Let’s Talk Exits Podcast, to help you navigate the growth of your eCommerce business and maximize the potential for when an exit is in sight. The best is yet to come. Are you ready?
115
The Truth About Bravery in Entrepreneurship: Normalize Failure with Roei Yellin
The Truth About Bravery in Entrepreneurship: Normalize Failure with Roei Yellin
Jan 31, 2022
26:29
Most people think that athleticism is all about competitiveness, pushing yourself to the limits, and ultimately trying to win. But the key quality that you develop as an athlete is to stand on the start line. To be brave enough to do something that you know that you might lose is a more valuable quality for an entrepreneur than being competitive. That’s exactly what Roei Yellin, this week's guest teaches us in today’s episode. Roei Yellin is a sales, product, and marketing professional with a background as an Olympic athlete. He has decades of entrepreneurship experience as a sales expert in the Israeli startup space. Having built and launched several products and apps in recent years, Roei is passionate about taking ideas and growing them into sharp, revolutionary products that users love. He is the co-founder and CRO of 8Fig, a company that helps eCommerce sellers, with U.S. stores earning 6-figures or higher in revenue, scale rapidly without losing equity. [00:01 - 04:53] Opening Segment Here’s a preview of our conversation with Roei Yellin Let’s get to know Roei From playing as an athlete to growing a startup [04:54 - 14:54] Sports Lessons Applicable in Entrepreneurship The sports lessons that you can apply to entrepreneurship Roei talks about the importance of taking calculated risks He walks us through his journey in building up his business [14:55 - 24:10] Insights About the Startup Market Roei gives a sneak peek about the services that his company offers Don’t miss Roei’s interesting insights about the startup market Are there new buying patterns in the eCommerce industry? Roei shares his thoughts [24:11 - 26:28] Closing Segment Connect with Roei Links below Final announcements Key Quotes “Be brave enough to do something that you know that might lose…I think it’s an even more important quality for an entrepreneur than being competitive.” - Roei Yellin “If you do the preparation…then you can balance and mitigate the risks.” - Roei Yellin Email [email protected] to get in touch with Roei or follow him on LinkedIn. Check out their company website to learn how to raise continuous capital for continuous growth! We’re a passionate bunch. Together, we help your business flourish. Visit: https://ptexgroup.com Connect with Ptex Group: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn LEAVE A REVIEW + and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to achieve in business. Listen to previous episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts!
116
From a 15k Side Hustle to a 2-Billion-Dollar Business with Spencer Jan
From a 15k Side Hustle to a 2-Billion-Dollar Business with Spencer Jan
Feb 7, 2022
46:35
How do you turn a side hustle into a 2-billion-dollar business? This might sound too good to be true, but it did happen when Spencer Jan jumped into entrepreneurship and started a business in a garage in 2010 with only $15,000. Called Solo Stove then, the business eventually grew into Solo Brands and in 2021, raised $219 million through an IPO (NYSE: DTC). After a decade of starting and growing e-commerce businesses and having successfully exited the daily operations of Solo Stove, Spencer is now on a mission to help other e-commerce entrepreneurs find success. [00:01 - 05:43] Opening Segment I launched a new podcast about exiting your business Link below Let’s get to know Spencer Jan How he started a future $2-billion business [05:44 - 15:27] Bootstrapping an Ecommerce Business How Spencer spent his $15,000 investment Why bootstrapping can jumpstart an entrepreneurial endeavor The reason Spencer is passionate about e-commerce [15:28 - 25:57] Growing an Ecommerce Business The importance of the customers in growing an e-commerce business The lessons that e-commerce business owners will learn How to capitalize on calculated risks and avoid careless mistakes [25:58 - 35:30] Exiting a Business The hard part of being an entrepreneur according to Spencer Having this foundation will make decision-making easier The right time to exit a business [35:31 - 42:54] Going Back to the End Goal What to do next after exiting the business Why people should at least try entrepreneurship Connect with Spencer Links below [42:55 - 46:34] Closing Segment Spencer shares his outlook on the e-commerce industry Know more about Spencer with these rapid-fire questions! Final announcements Key Quotes “Bootstrapping is a viable path to entrepreneurship.” - Spencer Jan “You really have to love your customers. You really have to be able to connect with them.” - Spencer Jan Resources mentioned: Book: How Will You Measure Your Life? Connect with Spencer Email [email protected] to get in touch with Spencer or follow him on LinkedIn and YouTube. Check out their company website to learn how to raise continuous capital for continuous growth! We’re a passionate bunch. Together, we help your business flourish. Visit: https://ptexgroup.com Let’s Talk Exits! Check out my new podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lets-talk-exits/id1606747718 Connect with Ptex Group: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn LEAVE A REVIEW + and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to achieve in business. Listen to previous episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts!
117
How to Tackle The Unique Business Leadership Challenges of 2022 with David Pilchick
How to Tackle The Unique Business Leadership Challenges of 2022 with David Pilchick
Feb 14, 2022
31:52
How to Tackle The Unique Business Leadership Challenges of 2022 with David Pilchick What’s unique about being a business owner in 2022? A business owner in this day and age should be someone who’s accessible to the team, empathetic to the employees’ struggles, and a catalyst to their personal and professional growth. This week our guest is David Pilchick, the founder and owner of Brooklyn Low Voltage Supply. He drops by to talk about the most important qualities of a modern-day leader. He also discusses his personal journey to becoming a successful business owner, years after dropping out of high school. In our interview, we talk about the leadership skills that are difficult to master, yet absolutely crucial, and how exactly anyone can attain them. Leadership in any industry can be an intimidating field, however, if we can tap into our unique selves, gain confidence, and overcome certain fears, anything is possible. Tune in now and learn from David how to be a modern-day business owner. Listen and enjoy! [00:01 - 05:41] Opening Segment Here’s what you will learn from my interview with David Pilchick Let’s get to know David From dropping out of high school to being a leader as an 18-year old His journey to building his own company [05:42 - 10:02] Is Bootstrapping a Viable Path to Business? The reason he needed to bootstrap his company Why leaders should know the different kinds of employee personalities The lessons he learned from working for a call center company [10:03 - 20:32] The Behind-The-Scenes of Being a Business Owner Ways that leaders can take to engage their employees Accessibility Relationship-building David reveals his secret in dealing with difficult situations at work Should leaders care too much about their employees? David gives an interesting thought The fine line between business and personal life A major mistake that small business owners make [20:33 - 28:43] The Art of Delegation in Business David tells us why the art of delegation is difficult to master Opportunity and accountability should be given to employees How leaders can ensure that employees do the right thing The scary question that business owners need to answer [28:44 - 31:51] Closing Segment Connect with David Links below Learn more about David with the Rapid Fire Questions! Final announcements Key Quotes “If your employees feel appreciated and valued, they’re gonna come into work with the right attitude, and then they’re gonna give your customers the best experience that they can ever expect.” - David Pilchick “As much as it is great to make money, you’ll also want to do something good for the community at the same time.” - David Pilchick Connect with David Email [email protected] to get in touch with David or follow him on LinkedIn. Check out Brooklyn Low Voltage Supply to learn more about their services! We’re a passionate bunch. Together, we help your business flourish. Visit: https://ptexgroup.com Let’s Talk Exits! Check out my new podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lets-talk-exits/id1606747718 Connect with Ptex Group: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn LEAVE A REVIEW + and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to achieve in business. Listen to previous episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts!
118
Chief Mac Man On Leveraging LinkedIn to Lock In Your Best Leads with Brian Burke
Chief Mac Man On Leveraging LinkedIn to Lock In Your Best Leads with Brian Burke
Feb 21, 2022
27:47
How to Get The Best Value From Your Pre-owned Apple Device with Brian Burke Are you wondering how to attract your most targeted leads through LinkedIn? This week, our guest is Brian Burke, the Chief Mac Man of Sell Your Mac and LinkedIn marketing strategist. Sell Your Mac is a top Apple resell and service business, and Brian uses LinkedIn marketing strategies to lock in his best leads every day. In our interview, he talks about his passion for Apple products and gives insight into his marketing strategies on the platform we all know and love. He has proven that passion can help you perform well in everything you do and that by leveraging technology in the right way, we can change the world for the better. Brian’s passion is contagious, and the value he brings is priceless. Listen and enjoy! [00:01 - 05:59] Opening Segment Here’s what you will learn from my interview with Brian Burke Let’s get to know Brian Why he’s focusing his business on selling Apple devices He reveals the secret to working so well in anything you will do [06:00 - 12:21] Starting a Business With Selling Apple Devices Brian shares his thought process to identify a potential business opportunity He talks about his experience working with his first hire How to sell your Apple device through Brian’s company What is “mental vacation” and why does Brian like to use it often? [12:22 - 20:52] How to Make Your Employees Happy Brian talks about the power of an engaging headline Here’s what you should do if you want to post on LinkedIn How to balance working on your business and growing your network on LinkedIn Brian offers some practical tips to make employees happy [20:53 - 24:31] The Reasons to Switch to Apple How one computer can change the world Brian gives a sneak peek about his TED Talk He talks about his relationship with the Apple company Should you switch to the Apple ecosystem? Brian tells why you should [24:32 - 27:46] Closing Segment Connect with Brian Links below Learn more about Brian with the Rapid Fire Questions! Final announcements Key Quotes “I really want to encourage everyone to focus on things they’re passionate about ‘cause when you do that, you’re able to work extremely well.” - Brian Burke “The number one tip that I can give people is to make a headline that’s engaging...and the reason this works is because people are very intrigued.” - Brian Burke Connect with Brian Email [email protected] to get in touch with Brian or follow him on LinkedIn and Instagram. Check out Sell Your Mac to sell your Apple device and get the best value! Do you want to buy Apple products from Brian? Check this out Reach out to the Sell Your Mac team on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube We’re a passionate bunch. Together, we help your business flourish. Visit: https://ptexgroup.com Let’s Talk Exits! Check out my new podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lets-talk-exits/id1606747718 Connect with Ptex Group: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn LEAVE A REVIEW + and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to achieve in business. Listen to previous episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts!
119
How to Build a Company Culture That Keeps The Best Talents with Joel Lieberman
How to Build a Company Culture That Keeps The Best Talents with Joel Lieberman
Feb 28, 2022
31:23
How to Build a Company Culture That Keeps The Best Talents with Joel Lieberman What does it take to build a company culture? Nowadays, people are no longer looking solely for a competitive salary package. They are also trying to land in a collaborative situation where they will feel that they are valued. This week, our guest is Joel Lieberman, President of The Mint Capital, Inc., a company of mortgage brokers that help homebuyers find their dream houses. Joel talks about his business and how he was able to scale it successfully to serve not just more clients but also more job seekers. In our interview, he emphasizes the importance of building and maintaining a company culture that allows employees to grow and be the best versions of themselves. He also shares his thoughts about giving freedom to employees to perform their roles in their own ways versus promoting accountability within the company. Tune in now and learn from Joel how to build your company culture. Listen and enjoy! [00:01 - 04:59] Opening Segment Here’s what to expect from this episode with Joel Lieberman Joel tells the story behind his business career [05:00 - 15:36] Creating a Vision for Your Business Joel reveals the kind of vision he initially had for his mortgage business He shares his experience in working with a mentor to improve his craft How to attract and retain the best people for your business The importance of building and maintaining his preferred company culture Joel shares his thoughts [15:37 - 26:45] Building Company Culture A message for business owners: Your business should work for you You should not work for your business Joel tells us how to do this The one aspect that separates successful businesses from those that failed Joel breaks down what culture is for him Here’s an interesting way to help your employees build their personal goals [26:46 - 31:22] Closing Segment Don’t miss Joel’s parting words for new and existing business owners Connect with Joe Links below Learn more about Joe with the Rapid Fire Questions! Key Quotes “If I have to be a different person to grow my company to the next level…I don’t need it. I don’t need to be a multimillionaire if I cannot have the company culture that I like to have.” - Joel Lieberman “There’s [no] one way that people can succeed and there’s [no] one skill that people are missing on why they’re not succeeding…I think it’s about taking the business [seriously].” - Joel Lieberman Connect with Joel Email [email protected] to get in touch with Joe or follow him on LinkedIn. Visit The Mint Group, Inc. to access the support you need to get your dream home! Resource mentioned: Book: The Five Dysfunctions of a Team We’re a passionate bunch. Together, we help your business flourish. Visit: https://ptexgroup.com Let’s Talk Exits! Check out my new podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lets-talk-exits/id1606747718 Connect with Ptex Group: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn LEAVE A REVIEW + and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to achieve in business. Listen to previous episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts!
120
Why You Should or Shouldn’t Choose Entrepreneurship with Jeff Hoffman
Why You Should or Shouldn’t Choose Entrepreneurship with Jeff Hoffman
Mar 7, 2022
32:12
Have you ever asked yourself, “Am I really cut out for entrepreneurship?” Honestly, most of us have. While entrepreneurship seems to be synonymous with freedom, independence, and designing your destiny, being a successful entrepreneur takes perseverance, humility, and is a lot more than what meets the eye. This week, our guest is Jeff Hoffman, the inventor of the airport boarding pass kiosks, Billionaire co-founder of Priceline, worldwide motivational speaker, and bestselling author. He now dedicates his life to helping people around the world, like you and me, truly reach their dreams. In our interview, Jeff discusses his work teaching entrepreneurship around the world. He incorporates his journey and goes on to talks about the important traits a business leader must have, and why entrepreneurship may or may not be for you. Finally, he speaks about scaling a business and how leaders can be more agile in a fast-paced world. Tune in now and get inspired to be the best entrepreneur you can be. Listen and enjoy! [00:01 - 07:56] Opening Segment My takeaways from this episode with Jeff Hoffman An insightful look at Jeff’s journey The value of hard work; How growing up with a single mom taught Jeff the importance of perseverance Dream big, work hard, create value Why these 3 things are the matrix of building a successful business [07:57 - 18:14] Why You Should or Shouldn’t Choose Entrepreneurship The two reasons why entrepreneurship is so important Independence and freedom The ability to design a positive future Who entrepreneurship is not for Entrepreneurship is not for people who are risk-averse and lack confidence. Entrepreneurs go into their ventures with confidence, knowing that there is always a chance of failure. If this thrills them rather than scares them, then they have the right risk profile for entrepreneurship Can you change your appetite for risk? The red flags of a reckless entrepreneur Uncoachability Inability to take accountability [18:15 - 24:47] The Pioneers of Disrupting the Travel Industry How Priceline.com founder, Jay Walker, changed the travel industry Why travel is so important for Jeff Developing a solution to getting people on a plane faster When meeting a challenge, focus on finding solutions, not complaining [24:48 - 30:17] Managing Change in a Fast Paced World Running a business with agility For entrepreneurs, chaos and disruption should be your alarm clock Tips for leaders on how to pivot and adapt Look at the data, trends, and the way the world is changing The difference between a growing and stagnant company The key to a company's success is for a leader to get out of the way and let others do their jobs The keys to scaling a business [30:18 - 32:12] Closing Segment Connect with Jeff Links below Learn more about Jeff with the Rapid Fire Questions! Key Quotes “The whole reason to be an entrepreneur is to design the future you want instead of complaining about the one you have.” - Jeff Hoffman “I always tell entrepreneurs to dream big, work hard, create value.” - Jeff Hoffman “The best entrepreneurs are thirsty. They're hungry for knowledge and experience from those who went before them.” - Jeff Hoffman Connect with Jeff Visit Jeff’s website https://www.jeffhoffman.com and follow him on IG @Speakerjeffhoffman and Twitter @speakerjeff You can connect with him on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/jeffhoff Resources mentioned: Book: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho We’re a passionate bunch. Together, we help your business flourish. Visit: https://ptexgroup.com Let’s Talk Exits! Check out my new podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lets-talk-exits/id1606747718 Connect with Ptex Group: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn LEAVE A REVIEW + and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to achieve in business. Listen to previous episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts!
121
Your Audience: The Key to Unrivaled Marketing with Grant Leboff
Your Audience: The Key to Unrivaled Marketing with Grant Leboff
Mar 14, 2022
55:29
Are you spending enough time targeting your most qualified leads? Many businesses leave aside this part of the marketing strategy and focus on other factors like budget, visual designs, messaging, etc. While those are also crucial, segmentation and targeting are the first steps to creating a booming campaign. In this week’s episode, our guest is Grant Leboff, one of the U.K’s leading Sales and Marketing experts and the CEO of Sticky Marketing Club; a sales and marketing consultancy that provides companies with meaningful strategies and resources to prosper in the competitive world. He is the author of 5 well-known books such as ‘Sales Therapy’, ‘Sticky Marketing’, ‘Stickier Marketing’, ‘Digital Selling’, and ‘Myths of Marketing’. In our interview, Grant discloses why some campaigns fail and the small, but significant, changes that can turn a failed campaign into a successful one. He dives into segmentation, targeting, and how much you should invest in your marketing and brand. He also provides insights about the Superbowl ads and explains why they can be meaningful to your business. If you want to gain a deeper understanding of why and how to market your business more successfully, this episode is for you! [00:01 - 04:52] Opening Segment Here’s what you will learn from my interview with Grant Leboff Let’s get to know Grant’s story His sales and marketing journey, the author of 5 books, behavioral psychology background [04:53 - 22:27] Earn the Right to Have a Little Bit More of Someone's Time. Marketing and sales concept Brand communication or company communication Human communication and marketing channel How much people should invest in marketing Attention spans are small, but you can earn attention Digital media gives you is…it gives you scale Pay close attention to your audience Engage, build and retain the audience [22:28 - 34:59] Good Marketing Starts with Segmentation and Targeting Steps people should do to get the focus of who they would market to Understand the difference between segmentation and targeting Demography, thermography, behavioral, and psychographics [35:00 - 53:06] The Role of Branding for Small Businesses You always want to go to your smallest viable market If you want to win 100 new customers in the next 12 months, you probably need to attack a marketplace of about 10,000 Where branding play a role for the small business owners The process of taking an indistinguishable product or service, and giving it meaning Using a brand mitigates the feeling of risk Grant’s insights about the Superbowl ads It's the most expensive advertising in the world Immediately build salience, it's immediately impressive Make sure that you have the proper connection to the end consumer [53:07 - 55:28] Closing Segment Connect with Grant Links below Learn more about Grant with the Rapid Fire Questions! Key Quotes “What you want to do is engage an audience, build an audience and retain it. And that's why you have to be so specific with who that audience is.” - Grant Leboff “The more refined your targeting is, the better your content will be, your messaging will be, and actually, the more leads and opportunities you're likely to generate.” - Grant Leboff “Today, you don't differentiate by what you do. You differentiate by who you do it for.” - Grant Leboff Connect with Grant Follow him on LinkedIn and Twitter. Go and visit Sticky Marketing Club, and start to understand how to make your Sales & Marketing really work. Resources mentioned: Book: Thinking Fast and Slow - Daniel Kahneman We’re a passionate bunch. Together, we help your business flourish. Visit: https://ptexgroup.com Let’s Talk Exits! Check out my new podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lets-talk-exits/id1606747718 Connect with Ptex Group: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn LEAVE A REVIEW + and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to achieve in business. Listen to previous episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts!
122
The Art of Being Remarkable in Your Business with Guy Kawasaki
The Art of Being Remarkable in Your Business with Guy Kawasaki
Mar 21, 2022
30:41
What exactly is a Chief Evangelist? In business, we’ve embraced the idea that customers can be evangelists, but it's important to remember that employees and business builders can be evangelists too. Our guest, Guy Kawasaki, is the Chief Evangelist at Canva, a title that he explains can only work if the product can change the world—or at least a significant part of it. He’s the host of the Remarkable People Podcast, an executive fellow of the Haas School of Business (UC Berkeley), author of 15 popular books, and an adjunct professor of the University of New South Wales. As a former revolutionary at Apple, Guy popularized the concept of evangelizing in the technology business, and his ideas behind this concept have spread like wildfire. In our interview, he tells us how to evangelize products and services by providing valuable content to the target audience. The key is to define “valuable” as something that can make their life better, as opposed to increasing your sales and profits. He discusses his journey of how he went from schlepping jewelry, to working closely with Steve Jobs at Apple, to ultimately impacting millions on a daily basis through the art of evangelism. You won’t want to miss this inspiring and thought-provoking episode. Listen and enjoy! [00:01 - 07:28] Opening Segment Guy Kawasaki’s life before Apple His experience working in the jewelry business Let’s get to know Guy’s background Starting to be the chief evangelist of Canva Being the host of Remarkable People Podcast How Guy made the transition from jewelry schlepping to Apple [07:29 - 15:46] There’s always an innovation based on the needs of the customer What sets apart great salespeople from people that don’t sell Find something great to sell Understand where the buyers come from Be willing to take rejection Guy’s experience joining Apple Company Apple's not the company used to be and it’s more than a trillion dollars Guy shares his insights about what being an entrepreneur means A person who creates a product/service that people don't even know they need [15:47 - 28:29] Making People Remarkable Skills leaders need to make a company an empire The lessons of Macintosh and Steve Jobs How Guy bridges the gap between delegation and letting people be autonomous Both skills are necessary but you should know when to do which one What Guy does as the chief evangelist of Canva It’s about empowerment and democratization of design [28:29 - 30:40] Closing Segment Learn more about Guy with the Rapid Fire Questions! Connect with Guy Follow him on LinkedIn and Twitter. Head to Guy Kawasaki and see how you could become more remarkable! We’re a passionate bunch. Together, we help your business flourish. Visit: https://ptexgroup.com Let’s Talk Exits! Check out my new podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lets-talk-exits/id1606747718 Connect with Ptex Group: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn LEAVE A REVIEW + and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to achieve in business. Listen to previous episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts! Resources mentioned: Book: If You Want To Write - Brenda Ueland Key Quotes “It's better to be lucky than smart.” - Guy Kawasaki “[Canva] is the democratization of design, so that people can become better communicators.” - Guy Kawasaki “ I'm on a mission to make people remarkable by listening to the stories of other remarkable people.” - Guy Kawasaki
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The Key to Understanding Your Numbers with Virtual CFO Advisor, Jacob Oberlander
The Key to Understanding Your Numbers with Virtual CFO Advisor, Jacob Oberlander
Mar 28, 2022
36:47
How effective is your business strategy? Are you analyzing your numbers to make better decisions for the future? This week our guest is Jacob Oberlander, the Founder & Team Leader at Oberlander & Co, a firm focused on providing Virtual CFO Advisory in addition to traditional tax services. He is on a mission to try to explain to growing business owners the importance of setting goals, creating a budget, reviewing performance, and after-action reviews. In our interview, Jacob digs into how entrepreneurs should set their business goals and keep tabs on the numbers. He explains the difference between a bookkeeper, controller, and CFO and what companies need to have people performing those roles. He also remarks on the importance of not overspending on advertising or anything that can shrink your margins and discloses relevant information of the two industries he is currently focused on: subcontractors and e-commerce. Listen and enjoy! [00:01 - 07:44] Opening Segment Jacob Oberlander’s background and work experience His passion for numbers and economics Jacob’s passion for accounting Learn and understand from numbers Starting his firm Oberlander & Co Doing virtual CFO services [07:45 - 21:53] The Bookkeeper, Comptroller, and Virtual CFO How people can know when their businesses need a CFO It depends on the size or value of your business Jacob's insights about the subcontractors and e-commerce industries Numbers business owners need to pay close attention to The cash flow ratio and profit margin The difference between gross vs net profits of the company Have decent margins and find a way to be profitable [21:54 - 34:49] Building a Healthy Business The role of profitability and cash flow Do long-term cash flow and plan your cash for 12 months What systems business owners should use to track their numbers Look at your inventory program Have a good management program Jacob’s perspective of what a healthy business looks like in terms of net profit How many months in reserve you should have cash flow and look at your debt [34:50 - 36:47] Closing Segment Learn more about Jacob with the Rapid Fire Questions! Connect with Jacob Follow him on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook. Don’t forget to check Oberlander & Co to get a deeper understanding of taxes, finance, and small business best practices! We’re a passionate bunch. Together, we help your business flourish. Visit: https://ptexgroup.com Let’s Talk Exits! Check out my new podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lets-talk-exits/id1606747718 Connect with Ptex Group: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn LEAVE A REVIEW + and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to achieve in business. Listen to previous episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts! Resources mentioned: Book: Free To Focus - Michael Hyatt. Key Quotes “The numbers tell a story.” - Jacob Oberlander “It's not just about the numbers, it's your life.” - Jacob Oberlander “If you start today with a mission, you understand what you're doing, you'll be successful.” - Jacob Oberlander
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Strategy Sprints: How Micro Changes Can Increase Revenue in 90 Days with Simon Severino
Strategy Sprints: How Micro Changes Can Increase Revenue in 90 Days with Simon Severino
Apr 4, 2022
48:02
Does your business strategy provide the quickest, easiest, and most effective way to grow your revenue and scale your business? In today’s show our guest, Simon Severino, an author, CEO of Strategy Sprints, and host of the Strategy Sprints podcast, has created the Strategy Sprints™ Method that doubles revenue in 90 days by getting owners out of the weeds. Simon leads a global team of Certified Strategy Sprints™ Coaches that help clients gain market share and work in weekly sprints which results in fast execution. In our interview, Simon shares his insights about how entrepreneurs can find areas of improvement in their companies in order to see fast execution. He also discloses some of the bottlenecks that CEOs face and what they can do to see their businesses thrive. Simon also touches on the importance of blockchain and why everyone should be part of it. You won’t want to miss this incredible episode. Listen and enjoy! [00:01 - 06:26] Opening Segment Simon Severino’s background and work His experience being a strategy advisor for over 21 years Check out his show The Strategy Sprints podcast [06:27 - 27:37] How Bussines Owners Strategize for Their Growth Simon explains what strategy is all about The importance of having a strategy level and a tactical level Why having micro strategizing moments is key How business owners can get back to a real-time control Strategy Sprints: 12 Ways to Accelerate Growth for an Agile Business Simon’s outlook on variable costs, fixed costs, and cash flow Creating the 90 days strategy sprint method How you can address the prices increase to not lose your next client [27:38 - 45:25] The Fastest Way to Increasing Your Bottom Line Simon’s advice for entrepreneurs that would like to have clients pay more You just need to have 5 testimonies to raise your price by 25% The ROL (Return on Luck) concept Why do some people get lucky and super successful and others not? The role of CEOs really to understand the culture and vision of the company Simon’s thoughts about the blockchain society Why blockchain will change the world [45:26 - 48:02] Closing Segment Learn more about Simon with the Rapid Fire Questions! Connect with Simon Follow him on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. Head to Strategy Sprints, and get your time and energy back with a one-to-one sprint coach! We’re a passionate bunch. Together, we help your business flourish. Visit: https://ptexgroup.com Let’s Talk Exits! Check out my new podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lets-talk-exits/id1606747718 Connect with Ptex Group: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn LEAVE A REVIEW + and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to achieve in business. Listen to previous episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts! Resources mentioned: The Art of Peace and Happiness - Rupert Spira Key Quotes “You cannot stay in the game if you don't have micro strategizing moments.” - Simon Severino “It's always great to have additional revenue streams if I if they are aligned with the core of what you do.” - Simon Severino “You just have real estate and Bitcoin as hard assets, things that do not only not depreciate over time, but appreciate over time.” - Simon Severino
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How One Meaningful Minute Can Change Everything with Nachi Gordon
How One Meaningful Minute Can Change Everything with Nachi Gordon
Apr 11, 2022
43:07
How much do you value meaningful content that helps you slow down and be more introspective? This week our guest is Nachi Gordon, the founder, and CEO of Meaningful Minute and co-host of the Meaningful People Podcast; a weekly opportunity for the Jewish world's meaningful and influential people to share their stories with the world. In our interview, Nachi walks us through his journey working in the sports industry and how he came up with the idea of creating the Meaningful Minute platform. He highlights the value of views on social media and how meaningful messages have the power to impact peoples’ lives in a way you can’t imagine. Nachi also discloses why it is always important to be ambitious and stay focused on what you want to accomplish in your life and business. This episode is full of inspiration, you don’t want to miss it. Listen and enjoy! [00:01 - 12:00] Opening Segment Nachi Gordon’s background and work Her passion for the sports management field How he was certified with the NBA as a player agent His experience being the youngest agent to have a player sign an NBA contract How Nachi came up with the idea of creating Meaningful Minute [12:01 - 29:01] Why Being Focused and Ambitious is Essential How Meaningful Minute became popular and well-known Going from zero to 42.000 followers Systemizing and building the structure around Meaningful Minute Making the decision of investing in the platform Starting to build a team Nachi’s outlook on how to maximize their potential with social media How Nachi was able to have a strong relationship with his users If you’re passionate about something, just take the first step [29:02 - 40:53] Expressing What is not Sustainable and Healthy for Society Nachi shares his insights about running a non-profit work or a for-profit work Stories that have been impactful on Nachi’s journey Share the pain, not the pictures Understanding the true value of views The importance of looking introspect and your media intake Nachi’s most meaningful time in his life Each day and each time in life there's a different message and [40:54 - 43:07] Closing Segment Learn more about Nachi with the Rapid Fire Questions! Connect with Nachi Follow him on Instagram, WhatsApp, and Youtube. Make sure to check out Meaningful Minute, your link to what matters the most! Don’t forget to listen to the Meaningful People Podcast. We’re a passionate bunch. Together, we help your business flourish. Visit: https://ptexgroup.com Let’s Talk Exits! Check out my new podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lets-talk-exits/id1606747718 Connect with Ptex Group: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn LEAVE A REVIEW + and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to achieve in business. Listen to previous episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts! Key Quotes “Our goal is to create content that is meaningful, that can speak to people and draw you in for more.” - Nachi Gordon “It's so important to constantly reevaluate what you have in front of you and not be afraid to pivot.” - Nachi Gordon “We just created that organization that its total effort is to create meaningful content that can help people slow down in their daily lives.” - Nachi Gordon
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The Six Essential Traits of a Successful Entrepreneur with Gino Wickman
The Six Essential Traits of a Successful Entrepreneur with Gino Wickman
May 9, 2022
54:51
Do you want to start an entrepreneurial journey, but you’re doubtful about having the skill set to build a successful business? In this week’s episode, our guest is Gino Wickman, an entrepreneur since the age of 21 who has had an obsession with learning what makes businesses and entrepreneurs thrive. At 25 he took over the family business, which was deeply in debt and in need of help. After turning the company around and running it for seven years, he and his partners successfully sold the company. Gino then set out to help entrepreneurs and leaders get what they want from their businesses. Based on his years of real-world experience, he created the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS), a practical method for helping companies achieve greatness. Gino is devoting time and energy toward helping entrepreneurs-in-the-making get a huge jump-start on taking their entrepreneurial leap, which is why he created Entrepreneurial Leap. The mission of Entrepreneurial Leap is to find all of the entrepreneurs-in-the-making, at any age, wherever they are—to help them realize their purpose and live the life they were born to live. In our interview, Gino discloses how he identified in their family-owned business that systems were needed, which eventually became the EOS system. He also shares how he could identify the real core focus that will drive him to success. He went into detail about the six essential traits of every entrepreneur and what happens if you're missing any of those traits. Most importantly, he provides us with practical tips on how to actually find a mentor and touches on why being patient, but still taking action is key for an entrepreneur. If you think you’re an entrepreneur in the making, this episode is definitely for you! Listen and enjoy! [00:01 - 08:55] Opening Segment Gino Wickman’s background and work His passion for what makes companies great, and entrepreneurs successful His experience creating an operating system The pure evolution and a journey of obsession Make sure to check Entrepreneurial Leap [08:56 - 29:25] Getting The Leadership Team on The Same Page The business mindset before and after EOS The leadership team gets 100% on the same page with a clear vision Getting clear with your core focus Why does the organization exist? What does it do in the world? What motivated Gino going from the EOS to identify the entrepreneur Gino’s definition of what an entrepreneur is The entrepreneurial range [29:26 - 48:48] The Six Essential Traits of a True Entrepreneur Gino breaks down the six essential traits of a try entrepreneur What happens if you know there might be missing one or two of those traits You’re not an entrepreneur. It's all or nothing Understanding the glimpse and what you're good at Paint a vivid picture of what the life of an entrepreneur looks like Gino’s outlook on the point of mentoring Find a mentor who is where you want to be The mentor tracks Take action and be patient [48:49 - 54:51] Closing Segment What Gino could share for entrepreneurs about notetaking in general Learn more about Gino with the Rapid Fire Questions! Connect with Gino Follow him on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Head to Entrepreneurial Leap, find clarity, and create a customized plan with the 1-2-3 Roadmap for your start-up! We’re a passionate bunch. Together, we help your business flourish. Visit: https://ptexgroup.com Let’s Talk Exits! Check out my new podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lets-talk-exits/id1606747718 Connect with Ptex Group: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn LEAVE A REVIEW + and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to achieve in business. Listen to previous episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts! Key Quotes “It's not that you don't have a vision, it's that you don't agree.” - Gino Wickman “If you're someone who is absolutely passionate about entrepreneurship and want to be surrounded by entrepreneurship, but don't have the six essential traits, then, by all means, attach yourself to a true entrepreneur.” - Gino Wickman “There's so much science on the power of writing from a standpoint of retention and creativity and what it does for your brain.” - Gino Wickman
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How to End Burnout, Gain Resilience and Change the World with Cait Donovan
How to End Burnout, Gain Resilience and Change the World with Cait Donovan
Jun 13, 2022
37:57
Have you ever taken the time to do a deep and real examination of the true causes of burnout and how to heal them within yourself? In this week’s episode, our guest is Cait Donovan, a Keynote speaker, one of New York City’s leading burnout experts, host of “Fried – The Burnout Podcast,” and author of the book "The Bouncebackability Factor". Her creative burnout recovery solutions have been shared with companies such as Lululemon, Nexthink, and Pepsi as well as featured on podcasts and online magazines such as “Forbes”, “NPR,” “Thrive Global,” and “The New York Post”. In our interview, Cait shares the three symptoms that you should consider as a red flag if you are suffering from some sort of burnout in your business or personal life. She also discloses what you could do to prevent burnout, and if you do see one, what are the items you could do to start getting back to yourself. This is an action-packed episode full of meaningful things that you need to know as business owners, employees, and companies and more importantly, for life balance. You don’t want to miss this thought-provoking episode. Listen and enjoy! [00:01 - 07:51] Opening Segment How Cait got to be the expert in speaking about burnout. Her experience as a health care practitioner Why she decided to write a book and start a podcast She explains what burnout is Check out The Bouncebackability Factor [07:52 - 23:18] Protect Yourself, Your Energy, And Your Time The driving cause of a person to arrive at a burnout There is a constant internal push to prove your value Cait’s outlook on the external and internal factors of a burnout story The red flags you should be paying attention to A shift in your ability to be physically active More explosive emotions in the home How pressure at home could also cause a full burnout for a person What a person can do to speak about avoiding burnout, or delaying it Burnout prevention strategies: do what you can to be healthy [23:19 - 36:47] The Bouncebackability Factor Cait’s advice leaders on how to support their people not to get to the stage of burnout The importance of your value statement Do not hire people that don't fit your culture What a person can do when one of his employees is showing signs of burnout Good communication The reason why burnout is always reversible Cait’s insights about the role of social media [36:48 - 37:57] Closing Segment Learn more about Cait with the Rapid Fire Questions! Connect with Cait Follow her on LinkedIn, and Instagram. Make sure to check out her website: https://www.caitdonovan.com/ and listen to FRIED. The Burnout, stories from people like you who've burnt out and come back to tell the tale. We’re a passionate bunch. Together, we help your business flourish. Visit: https://ptexgroup.com Let’s Talk Exits! Check out my new podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lets-talk-exits/id1606747718 Connect with Ptex Group: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn LEAVE A REVIEW + and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to achieve in business. Listen to previous episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts! Key Quotes “The more I learned, the less I know.” - Cait Donovan “We really have to look at burnout as a holistic system, and in a series of circles and internal causations, rather than a line of like A plus B equals C.” - Cait Donovan “I honestly believe that lack of community is one of our massive cultural indicators for burnout..” - Cait Donovan
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Solutions or Support? Redefining the Consultant's Role with Shulem Berkowitz
Solutions or Support? Redefining the Consultant's Role with Shulem Berkowitz
Dec 9, 2024
49:47
In today's episode of Let's Talk Business, we are excited to present a compelling conversation with Shulem Berkowitz, an esteemed leadership coach and business strategist. Hosted by Meny Hoffman, this episode dives deep into the intricate journey of transforming from a skilled craftsman to an effective leader. Shulem recounts his own transition from excelling in writing, graphic design, and printing to embracing his role as a leadership coach. His journey underscores the challenges and rewards of moving beyond personal accomplishments to empowering others. Highlighting the fundamental distinctions between consultants, coaches, and therapists, Shulem and Meny explore how each role uniquely contributes to business success. Listeners are taken through practical strategies for overcoming bottlenecks, such as temporarily stepping away from daily operations and identifying delegable tasks. Shulem emphasizes the importance of focusing on the 20% of crucial tasks that leaders must handle themselves and trusting the team with the rest. This episode also sheds light on self-awareness and growth, encouraging leaders to recognize their unique strengths and leverage them effectively. The discussion extends to company culture, where Shulem highlights the necessity of clear communication and value alignment. Drawing parallels between organizational success and the leader’s personal development, he illustrates how achieving business goals is intertwined with personal growth and overcoming internal barriers. Whether you're an emerging leader or a seasoned entrepreneur, this episode provides a wealth of knowledge to help you transcend challenges and achieve sustainable growth. 00:06:20 - Learn business, self-transform, understand leadership, empower others 00:08:34 - Consultants guide on business strategies and execution 00:11:04 - PandaDoc streamlines document creation and management 00:14:28 - Transition from craftsman to teacher, guiding others 00:17:40 - Navigating organizational growth while managing uncertainty 00:21:30 - Assess essential tasks by observing absence effects 00:25:20 - Who am I, beyond others' perceptions? 00:28:00 - People struggle with identity, leaders with delegation 00:31:12 - Pursue leadership goals positively, not reactively 00:34:44 - Real understanding and communication ensure company cohesion 00:38:31 - Leadership growth mirrors personal development 00:42:33 - Seek help sooner to alleviate pain and struggles 00:44:33 - Success increases your need for help 00:48:33 - Understand strengths, delegate, align values, seek support Pratical Pointers Shulem's journey illustrates the importance of transitioning from a hands-on entrepreneur to an empowering leader. By focusing on enabling team members and embracing leadership roles, individuals can foster business growth and personal development. Recognizing the unique contributions of consultants, coaches, and therapists can help individuals and organizations leverage the right expertise at the right time. This understanding is crucial for overcoming obstacles and achieving organizational goals. Leadership effectiveness is closely tied to self-awareness and continuous personal development. Shulem emphasizes the significance of understanding one’s strengths and delegating tasks to create space for strategic leadership. Shulem highlights the necessity of aligning company culture with shared values and clear communication. Leaders should articulate their goals and foster a supportive culture to ensure that team members act in ways that reflect the company’s ethos. Shulem’s experience underscores the importance of seeking external support and being open to help. Understanding that asking for assistance is a strength rather than a weakness can lead to greater success and continuous growth, both personally and professionally. PandaDoc Rock Leadership Solutions Sholem's Linkedin
129
Why Your Culture Might Be Holding You Back with Daren Martin
Why Your Culture Might Be Holding You Back with Daren Martin
Mar 26, 2025
47:48
In this episode of "Let's Talk Business," Meny Hoffman welcomes Dr. Daren Martin, a business strategist and best-selling author, to explore the transformative power of company culture. They delve into the significance of culture, not just as a part of the game but as the game itself, and discuss how it can be assessed and improved within a company. This episode is brought to you by Ptex Group’s One-Off Clarity Sessions—a game-changer for business owners looking to get unstuck and move forward with confidence. Whether you need help refining your strategy, improving your branding, or overcoming a business challenge, Ptex Group’s expert-led 60-minute strategy sessions give you the clarity and actionable insights you need to make real progress. Book your session today at https://calendly.com/ptex/60-minutes-strategy-meeting-clone and take your business to the next level. They outline the four Cs of company culture: call it, craft it, cast it, and cultivate it. Daren explains that a strong culture is evident when employees are eager to work and proudly represent their company. He shares stories illustrating how culture can be palpable within an organization and emphasizes that cultural change requires genuine commitment from leadership. The conversation touches on debunking the misconception that culture improvement requires significant financial investment. Instead, they highlight the importance of leadership engagement and listening to employee feedback to foster an environment where people feel valued and heard. Throughout the episode, listeners gain insights on building a company of owners, where employees are treated like owners and empowered to contribute ideas and drive change. Daren underscores the potential pitfalls of attempting cultural shifts that appear disingenuous and stresses the importance of patience in this transformation process. This episode is full of actionable insights for leaders looking to enhance their workplace culture and harness it as a tool for business success. Tune in to explore how these strategies can be applied to create a thriving and engaged workforce. Episode Links : Book a Clarity Session with Meny Hoffman https://www.darenmartin.com/bookstore https://www.youtube.com/@DarenMartinPhD Panda Doc Episode Timestamps 03:22 - From Kroger to Consulting Tycoon 08:08 - Understanding Company Culture Instinctively 10:38 - Company Culture vs. Reality Gap 14:53 - Streamline Proposals with PandaDoc 16:26 - Great Culture Eliminates Recruiting Need 20:22 - Culture Fix for Rapid Growth 24:24 - Customer Service Over Marketing Budget 27:36 - Employee Appreciation Over Extravagant Events 29:18 - CEO's Distant Approach Criticized 35:25 - Fast Food Success through Training 39:03 - Confronting Workplace Negativity 40:22 - Leadership Decision Boosts Team Morale 43:22 - Amazon Presence and Unique Name 46:35 - Align, Motivate, and Engage Employees Practical Pointers Spend time with employees in various roles to understand their day-to-day challenges and successes. Show genuine interest in their work and listen to their insights. Offer employees the autonomy and decision-making power akin to that of an owner. Recognize their potential to contribute to the company's success and trust them with more responsibility. Develop a clear, actionable mantra that reflects the values and goals of the company. This helps employees understand and align with the company's vision and mission. Implement a system of recognition to motivate employees. A simple thank you or a public acknowledgment of hard work can significantly boost morale. Understand that culture is more about how employees feel and how engaged they are, rather than just perks. Cultivate an atmosphere where employees look forward to coming to work and are proud of their contributions
130
Unlocking the Power of AI in Business Operations with Jay Owen
Unlocking the Power of AI in Business Operations with Jay Owen
Mar 18, 2025
37:52
In this episode of "Let's Talk Business," Meny Hoffman sits down with Jay Owen, a dynamic entrepreneur who founded his own marketing agency as a teenager. Together, they navigate Jay's entrepreneurial journey and share pivotal business insights. This episode is brought to you by Ptex Group’s One-Off Clarity Sessions—a game-changer for business owners looking to get unstuck and move forward with confidence. Whether you need help refining your strategy, improving your branding, or overcoming a business challenge, Ptex Group’s expert-led 60-minute strategy sessions give you the clarity and actionable insights you need to make real progress. Book your session today at https://calendly.com/ptex/60-minutes-strategy-meeting-clone and take your business to the next level. They discuss strategic marketing budgeting, recommending businesses allocate between 5% to 12% of their revenue—tailored by the business's growth stage. The duo emphasizes the importance of choosing the right social media platforms, advocating for mastering one platform before branching out to optimize resources effectively. Jay highlights the profound impact of AI tools like ChatGPT in enhancing daily business operations by generating marketing materials, analyzing data, and streamlining communication. Beyond business strategies, Jay shares his perspective on achieving work-life balance and stresses the impact of personal values on business success. He reflects on fostering a positive family environment and achieving a holistic view of success. This episode is rich with insights on consistent growth, innovative planning, and the benefits of adopting new technologies, offering invaluable takeaways for business owners aiming to elevate their ventures. Tune in to discover how you can apply these strategies for success in your own business journey. Links : http://aiwithjay.com http://linkedin.com/in/jayowen/ https://ptex.co/pandadoc Episode Timestamps : 05:06 - Marketing spend strategy essentials. 06:48 - Strategic website planning essentials. 11:37 - Typical marketing budget: 5-12% of revenue. 15:23 - Focus before expanding platforms. 17:44 - Early tech awakening. 21:57 - AI's impact on agency efficiency. 24:17 - Streamlining tasks with ChatGPT. 28:30 - Effective ChatGPT prompting framework. 29:16 - Refining AI for authentic content. 33:49 - AI integration for business optimization. 36:15 - Optimizing marketing and AI efficiency. PRACTICAL POINTERS: Ensure that marketing efforts are not just expenses but are generating returns. This involves strategic planning and measuring outcomes effectively Even if your business is referral-based, ensure your online presence is strong. Customers often research online before engaging, so maintaining an up-to-date and positive digital footprint is essential Use AI tools like ChatGPT to save time and improve efficiency in tasks such as content creation, customer engagement, and internal processes. AI can also enhance decision-making by providing quick insights and solutions As AI evolves rapidly, continuously seek out new tools and ways that AI can benefit your business operations, keeping your workflows efficient and competitive Develop a clear marketing plan before diving into execution. Avoid starting with SEO or social media without a proper strategy, similar to building a house without a blueprint
131
Creative Approaches to Tackling the Housing Crisis with Jeff Akerman
Creative Approaches to Tackling the Housing Crisis with Jeff Akerman
Feb 24, 2025
40:23
In today's rerun episode of Let's Talk Business, we are revisiting an insightful conversation with Jeff Akerman, the founder of Rise Architecture. Hosted by Meny Hoffman, this episode takes us through Jeff's journey from starting his architectural firm in his basement to establishing a successful business that has expanded across 11 states. Jeff shares his story, beginning with his mother's encouragement to pursue architecture, which laid the foundation for his career. His narrative highlights the importance of balancing creative ambitions with business acumen, a challenge many in the creative industry face. Jeff candidly discusses the realization that a successful business requires not just design talent but also a keen understanding of business operations and growth strategies. Listeners will benefit from Jeff's exploration of bridging the gap between creativity and business efficiency, emphasizing the necessity of delegation and creating a company culture that fosters both innovation and accountability. The discussion provides practical insights on maintaining creativity within structured timelines, as well as incentivizing employees through ownership and profit-sharing models. Additionally, Jeff delves into his audacious project in Florida—developing a new community with thousands of housing units, aiming to address the housing crisis in the Jewish community. This ambitious undertaking reflects Jeff's vision of making a lasting impact beyond financial success. This episode is a treasure trove of actionable strategies for business owners and creative professionals alike, offering guidance on building a business that harmonizes creative passion with strategic growth. Tune in to discover how you can nurture a successful business environment while still pursuing creative excellence and community impact. Whether you're starting out or looking to scale your business, Jeff's journey offers valuable lessons in entrepreneurship, resilience, and visionary thinking. 05:15 - Architecture Meets Business Strategy 08:33 - Balancing Creativity and Business 11:36 - Streamline Proposals with PandaDoc 14:42 - Balancing Creativity and Project Timelines 18:59 - Ownership Fuels Business Growth 20:02 - Let’s Talk Business Sponsorship 23:31 - Unpredictable Puzzle Planning 26:47 - Affordable Housing Community Vision 30:32 - Importance of Written Agreements 33:33 - Diversity in Partnerships: Respect Differences 38:26 - Creative Freedom and Aligned Vision 39:26 - Partner Collaboration: Plan & Document https://ptex.co/pandadoc https://www.risearchitecture.com/ Remember that in the creative space, you need to give your employees the leeway to think, because they want to feel that they are still being creative. If you stifle that creativity, and say, “You must do it my way,” you’re likely to lose a lot of people pretty quickly. One of the best ways to avoid the conflict between the business side of things - which demands creativity according to a specific timetable - and the creative side, is to suggest that your creatives give you their own timetable, rather than asking them to hew to one that the business people made. This increases accountability and personal responsibility, and also does wonders for the company culture. The most important element in choosing a partner is to make sure that you have the same vision. If every detail is perfect but you each see the end goal differently, then the partnership will fall apart, with potentially disastrous results. When you work together with a partner, you absolutely must hammer out the details in advance, and put them in writing - even if your partner is your best friend in the world - so that you both understand what’s expected of each of you. If you don’t, the business may fall apart - or on the contrary, it may work great, but you’re doing all the work even though you’re splitting the profits.
132
Managing the Complexity of Growth with Simon Severino
Managing the Complexity of Growth with Simon Severino
Feb 17, 2025
47:49
In this rerun episode of Let's Talk Business, we revisit a captivating conversation that dives deep into the essence of strategy in scaling a business successfully. Join your host, Meny Hoffman, as he sits down with Simon Severino, the author, CEO of Strategy Sprints, and host of the Strategy Sprints podcast. Simon shares his journey from a strategy advisor to revolutionizing the business world with the Strategy Sprints method. His approach helps businesses double their revenue in 90 days by focusing on effective strategy and getting owners out of the weeds. Through Strategy Sprints, Simon emphasizes the significance of direct paths to scaling and identifying bottlenecks within a business to streamline operations and maximize efficiency. Throughout the episode, Simon offers insightful advice on understanding the bottlenecks that prevent business growth, highlighting elements such as financial transparency and agility in business operations. He unveils the importance of weekly evaluations of profit, cost positions, and cash flow to maintain proper steering of the business. Furthermore, Simon discusses the role of proper delegation and accountability within business teams. He explains how these elements help business leaders transition from being doers to effective strategizers, who guide their companies through strategic insights and agile decision-making. Listeners will gain valuable knowledge on why removing oneself from daily operations and staying focused on strategic growth can propel a company to thrive in today's ever-changing market. Tune in to discover how businesses can achieve rapid growth by implementing strategic operations and learning faster than competitors. https://ptex.co/pandadoc http://www.strategysprints.com/ 00:00 - Business Growth with Simon Severino 06:00 - Scaling Challenges Beyond Initial Growth 08:29 - Uncovering Direct Paths in Business 11:27 - Prioritize Simple, Effective Business Steps 13:32 - Survival Through Fast Learning 19:07 - Financial Oversight for Business Leaders 21:42 - Weekly Scorecards Drive Business Success 26:02 - Strategy Sprints: Doubling Sales Skills 28:19 - Raise Prices to Boost Profit 30:21 - Rapid Testing Over Prolonged Research 33:59 - Podcast Takeaways for Immediate Action 38:59 - CEOs: Balance Autonomy and Oversight 42:10 - Blockchain's Transformative Power The importance of adjusting pricing strategies and effectively communicating the value proposition is discussed. Simon and Meny talk about how businesses can consider increasing their prices by leveraging client testimonials and focusing on delivering and showcasing tangible value to their customers. Simon introduces the idea of return on luck, which reflects the impact of experimentation on business success. Running marketing and sales experiments regularly helps businesses seize opportunities akin to creating one’s luck through strategic actions and learning faster than competitors. Simon shares his insights and excitement about blockchain technology, describing it as transformational like the internet. The potential changes to business operations, finance, and global trade are profound, signaling the importance for business leaders to understand and integrate blockchain into their future strategies. Develop standard operating procedures (SOPs) for various roles to enable effective delegation and reduce reliance on any single individual. Regular inspection of key metrics is vital for ensuring alignment with business goals and for effective decision-making.
133
The Art of Adaptation with Yoel Judowitz
The Art of Adaptation with Yoel Judowitz
Feb 10, 2025
36:39
In today's episode of Let's Talk Business, host Meny Hoffman sits down with Yoel Judowitz to explore the fascinating journey from illustration to digital marketing success. Starting his career as a children's book illustrator, Yoel's story is one of adaptation and growth, showcasing how creative skills can evolve to meet changing market demands. What makes this conversation particularly compelling is Yoel's unique perspective on transitioning from traditional artistic work to the dynamic world of digital marketing. As the founder of Story Tribe Media, he shares how his background in storytelling and visual arts became invaluable assets in the modern marketing landscape, especially within the Jewish community. The discussion delves deep into the challenges of scaling a creative business, with Yoel candidly sharing his experiences in building and managing a studio team. He offers valuable insights into maintaining creative quality while delegating work, particularly when dealing with cultural nuances specific to the Jewish market. A significant portion of the conversation focuses on the evolution of digital marketing, especially the growing importance of platforms like WhatsApp status in the firm and Jewish communities. Both Hoffman and Judowitz explore how businesses can effectively navigate these new channels while staying true to their brand identity. Whether you're a creative professional looking to expand your horizons, a business owner navigating the digital landscape, or simply interested in the intersection of creativity and business, this episode offers practical insights and actionable strategies for success in today's evolving market. Panda Doc storytribemedia.com Yoel's Links 04:05 - LinkedIn Growth & Creative Storytelling 06:53 - Turning Passion for Illustration Into Business 12:09 - Cultural Challenges in Creative Marketing 15:50 - Building a Sellable Service Business 18:48 - The Rise of Authentic Marketing 21:02 - ArtScroll's WhatsApp Status Development 26:32 - Navigating Social Media Strategies 27:13 - Platform Presence Depends on Company 30:15 - Metrics Inform, But Don't Dictate 35:39 - Align Values, Build Career, Focus Platforms 36:33 - Make It a Great Day Don't be afraid to fail; view setbacks as opportunities to learn and grow, much like Yoel did when he was initially fired. Learn to delegate tasks and build a team that can sustain your business independently, as illustrated by Yoel’s journey from YJ Studios to managing a team for illustration. Consider building a personal brand alongside your company brand to create a more personalized connection. However, ensure alignment with company values to avoid any discrepancies. Utilize the skills you are naturally good at, as a way to build your career initially, like Yoel did with illustration for children's books. Focus on platforms that provide the most benefit for your business, whether it's LinkedIn, Instagram, or WhatsApp status, similar to Yoel's observations about these mediums.
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Scaling with Purpose with Retail Expert Doug Stephens
Scaling with Purpose with Retail Expert Doug Stephens
Feb 3, 2025
45:53
In today's episode of Let's Talk Business, we are thrilled to chatting with Doug Stephens, a visionary in the retail industry and founder of Retail Profit. Hosted by Meny Hoffman, this episode delves into Doug's extensive experience and his expert perspective on the evolution of branding, retail trends, and the essential elements of customer experience. Doug shares his journey of observing and shaping the retail landscape for over two decades, highlighting critical observations about how brands can remain relevant and thrive in an ever-changing market. This narrative underlines the importance of having a clear brand purpose and consistently animating this purpose across all facets of a business. Doug discusses the dual nature of a brand, comprising both visible elements like logos and advertising, and the less visible components such as company culture and supply chain practices. He emphasizes that true brand success hinges on a brand's ability to integrate and manifest its core purpose in every business process, creating a genuine connection with their audience. Additionally, Doug provides a compelling analysis of post-pandemic retail dynamics, discussing the fusion of physical and digital experiences, the rise of third-party marketplaces, and the strategic adjustments businesses must make to cater to modern consumer behaviors. His insights are particularly beneficial for retailers and business owners seeking to navigate the complexities of today's market while aiming to deliver unparalleled value and experience to their customers. Through thoughtful anecdotes and expert advice, this episode offers actionable strategies for business owners and leaders to leverage the principles of effective branding and customer experience design. Tune in to explore how maintaining a clear brand purpose and innovating on customer touchpoints can drive business growth and customer loyalty. Whether you're a seasoned retailer or an emerging entrepreneur, this episode is packed with insights to help you refine your strategy and strengthen your brand's impact. 00:00 - Clarifying Brand Expertise in Retail 04:21 - "Retail Profit's Market Vision" 09:02 - Purpose: Key to Brand Success 12:04 - Apple's Renegade Vision 13:46 - Retail Innovation and Founder Vision 18:51 - Branding Commitment vs. Lip Service 21:34 - Brand Identity vs. Strategic Focus 27:25 - Amazon's Delivery Evolution & Marketplaces 29:53 - "Identifying Market Opportunities" 32:37 - Experiential NYC Toy Store 37:26 - AI Transforming Retail Workflow 40:07 - "End of Retail Era" 44:08 - "Dominate One Area, Maintain Values" 45:04 - "Align Business Purpose & Delivery" Select one primary area to dominate from the four positions mentioned: culture, entertainment, expertise, or design. Focus on excelling in one area rather than trying to be everything to everyone. Experience your own customer service channels firsthand, just as Doug suggested CEOs should do quarterly, to identify gaps in service delivery. If you're growing, create systems to maintain your brand purpose and values even as the organization expands, preventing the "watering down" effect that often happens with scale Create clear guidelines about what your brand promises and ensure all business decisions (from sourcing to pricing) align with these commitments. Review how your stated purpose is actually showing up across all aspects of your business - from products to customer service to employee culture. Look for gaps between what you claim and what you deliver.
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Challenges and Triumphs within Family Businesses with Berel Solomon
Challenges and Triumphs within Family Businesses with Berel Solomon
Jan 27, 2025
40:00
In today's rerun episode of Let's Talk Business, we're diving back into a compelling discussion on the power of authenticity and purpose in driving business success. Join your host, Meny Hoffman, as he reconnects with Berel Solomon, a dynamic entrepreneur and the founder of Wealthy Commercials and Wealthy Executive Coaching. Berel's journey from running a family business to starting his own ventures is nothing short of inspiring. From his candid reflection on mixing family with business, to his passionate approach towards video marketing and executive coaching, Berel provides a wealth of actionable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned business owners alike. In this episode, Berel shares his perspective on aligning personal passions with professional pursuits, and the profound impact it has on one's success. He reveals the challenges and triumphs he faced while transitioning from his family business to founding Wealthy Commercials, a company that has taken on a life of its own through powerful video marketing strategies. Moreover, Berel delves into the crucial role of mentorship and coaching in personal and business growth. He talks about the importance of having experienced mentors to navigate the complexities of running a family business and the strategic significance of coaching for continuous development. Berel's core message is to operate within your "zone of genius"—a concept that he believes redefines how entrepreneurs should view their unique capabilities and contributions. He articulates how passion-driven work not only brings personal fulfillment but also attracts opportunities and resources that propel business growth. Throughout the conversation, Berel provides insights on building strong teams, effective delegation, and the impact of genuine, purpose-driven branding. His candid anecdotes and practical advice offer listeners a roadmap to integrating personal values with professional goals for sustained business success. Tune in to this episode for an enriching conversation that marries the heart of entrepreneurship with actionable business strategies. Whether you’re facing challenges in your family business, seeking to explore new ventures, or looking to inspire your team, this discussion with Berel Solomon promises invaluable takeaways. 05:21 - "Balancing Family and Business Dynamics" 09:01 - Embracing Self-Awareness and Authenticity 09:55 - "Embracing Faith and Genius" 13:08 - Pursue Passionate Work 17:40 - Influencer Journey: Open Book Approach 19:21 - "Lighting the World for God" 23:33 - Balancing Personal and Business Success 26:18 - Balancing Business Ventures Timing 29:19 - Empowering Coaches Boost Business 35:11 - Mentorship and Self-Improvement Magic 38:11 - Regretting Poor Influence Decisions Berel Solomon talks about the challenges of working in a family business, especially with his father and brothers. The key takeaway is the importance of maintaining professional relationships and sometimes seeking external help, like hiring a mentor to mediate conflicts. Berel Solomon discusses being in one's "zone of genius" rather than just following a passion. He shares insights on how operating within this zone allows for greater success and fulfillment. He contrasts this with simply making money, emphasizing that true success comes from aligning one’s work with personal strengths and passions. Berel reveals how he juggles several business ventures, a documentary, and personal commitments by utilizing technology and delegating tasks. He highlights the importance of focusing on high-value activities and outsourcing less critical tasks, underscoring effective time management and prioritization. Berel’s mission is to bring awareness about God and spirituality through his work. He emphasizes that his end goal is to connect people to the one above, regardless of the means, whether through business ventures, social media, or upcoming projects like his documentary. Berel explains how COVID-19 impacted his business structure. He trimmed down his workforce to retain only the most committed employees. This adaptation not only sustained but also streamlined his business operations, suggesting that crises can present opportunities for re-evaluating and optimizing business practices. https://www.linkedin.com/in/berel-solomon/ https://www.wealthyco.com/main http://berelsolomon.com/
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From Back Pain to Business Gains with Dr. David Kaplowitz
From Back Pain to Business Gains with Dr. David Kaplowitz
Jan 20, 2025
49:54
In today's rerun episode of Let's Talk Business, we're thrilled to revisit a highly engaging conversation on the critical role of company culture, leadership, and conflict resolution in scaling a business. Join your host, Meny Hoffman, as he speaks with Dr. David Kaplowitz, a former top chiropractor who transitioned into a respected business coach specializing in leadership development and organizational culture. In this episode, Dr. Kaplowitz offers actionable advice on mastering active listening skills, a fundamental component for building a strong company culture. He details a four-step conflict resolution formula that helps leaders address issues effectively while maintaining organizational harmony. Additionally, he discusses the significance of teachable moments in leadership, empowering leaders to grow from everyday experiences and improve team dynamics. Dr. Kaplowitz shares his journey from running a successful chiropractic practice to becoming one of the most sought-after business coaches. Drawing from his experience, he highlights the importance of nurturing a supportive company culture, effective communication, and conflict resolution for sustained business growth. Dr. Kaplowitz also touches upon the balance between a leader making critical decisions and involving the team in the decision-making process for a balanced and inclusive workplace. He emphasizes the need for leaders to understand and refine their leadership energy levels to inspire and influence their teams positively. Tune in for a wealth of practical insights from Dr. Kaplowitz on transforming leadership and cultivating an environment where both business and personnel thrive. Don't miss this episode filled with valuable strategies and real-world examples of effective business leadership. 00:00 - Pioneering Chiropractic Advertising 04:34 - From Practitioner to Leadership Coach 08:21 - Fostering Inclusive Company Culture 12:06 - Improving Company Culture Tips 12:56 - Mastering Active Listening Skills 18:09 - Chiropractor's Early Practice Experience 20:17 - Streamlining IT Management Follow-Ups 25:23 - Effective Conflict Resolution Strategy 26:31 - Empowering Leadership through Engagement 31:31 - Achieving Authenticity in the Workplace 33:33 - Leadership Balance: Directive vs. Inclusive 37:29 - Level Five Leadership and Communication 41:47 - Free Leadership Coaching Consultation 43:08 - Effective Leadership Consulting Advice 47:23 - Hiring Help vs. Profit Balance Involve your team in the decision-making process to gain different perspectives and ensure informed, balanced choices. Leaders must develop active listening skills to understand their team's concerns better, which includes asking open-ended questions, validating feelings, and truly hearing employees, leading to improved engagement and solutions. Setting clear expectations and accountability mechanisms ensures that employees understand their responsibilities and the timelines for completing tasks, which helps prevent misunderstandings and improves efficiency. Building a company culture requires focusing on both content (operational) and context (emotional) conversations. Creating a supportive environment where employees feel valued and engaged is crucial for sustainable growth and productivity. Continuous personal and professional growth is essential for leaders. Effective leaders listen actively, resolve conflicts constructively, and constantly seek feedback to improve their leadership skills and maintain their organization's direction. https://ptex.co/pandadoc https://www.rockspringcoaching.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidkaplowitz/
137
Kosher Market Evolution and Branding Strategies with Menachem Lubinsky
Kosher Market Evolution and Branding Strategies with Menachem Lubinsky
Aug 26, 2024
45:05
In today's episode, we dive deep into the world of Jewish marketing with our esteemed guest, Menachem Lubinsky, a trailblazer and founder of the leading marketing firm, LUBICOM. Join us as we explore various facets of marketing, branding, and the burgeoning kosher food industry through insightful conversations and expert analysis. Menachem Lubinsky shares his inspiring journey from writing newsletters in a bungalow colony to founding LUBICOM, a prominent marketing firm. He emphasizes the significance of professionalism, precision and offers valuable insights into the evolution of the marketing industry and the enduring principles of strong leadership and high standards. Delving into the fundamental role of messaging in advertising, this segment explores the differences and connections between branding and marketing. Using Coca-Cola as an iconic example, Lubinsky discusses the importance of having a robust product before investing in branding efforts. He also highlights the commitment required to maintain consistent brand positioning, particularly for startups, to avoid market confusion. This segment focuses on the process of developing and evaluating business ideas, emphasizing the importance of preliminary research and cautious investment. Lubinsky discusses the pitfalls of presenting undeveloped ideas and the necessity of ensuring an idea is novel and marketable before seeking professional consultation. The conversation also introduces his new podcast, "Kosher Today," which provides updates and trends in the kosher industry. Join us for a fascinating journey through the intricate world of Jewish marketing, branding, and the dynamic kosher food industry, guided by the expertise and experiences of Menachem Lubinsky. Menachem Lubinsky is president & CEO of LUBICOM Business Consulting, which includes a full-service public relations, advertising and marketing firm he that founded in 1984. Mr. Lubinsky is a seasoned business executive whose successes have spanned many industries and is particularly known for his role in the growth and development of the kosher food industry. He is first and foremost a strategic business professional who is frequently consulted by businesses of all sizes. For more than 30 years, LUBICOM Marketing has provided services to a broad cadre of clients in diverse areas, including MCI, Sprint, Coca Cola, Dannon Yogurt, Lea & Perrins, Welch’s, Frito-Lay, Hospital for Joint Diseases, Maimonides Hospital, Brookdale Hospital, Metropolitan Jewish Health System, the Luggage and Leather Goods and Shoe Industries, and more than 500 other businesses and not-for-profit organizations. Mr. Lubinsky is the recognized authority on the kosher food market. Mr. Lubinsky writes a weekly “The Business Monitor” column for Hamodia and lectures extensively on business topics. His business consulting division has grown significantly in recent years, providing business consulting services to some 100 businesses in the past few years, ranging from start-ups to large multi-national companies. 00:04:12 - Precise, perfectionist, role model, influential community leader. 00:09:25 - Effective advertising requires delivering a clear message. 00:12:33 - Branding is essential but can be risky. 00:15:43 - Brand positioning and commitment crucial for success. 00:18:37 - Branding requires professional input and commitment. 00:19:56 - Beware of taking divisive stances in business. 00:23:25 - Missed sales opportunities in Jewish communities, marketing. 00:29:32 - Various countries eager to produce successful kosher wine. 00:31:12 - Prioritize quality service for long-term success. 00:35:37 - Before pursuing an idea, do thorough research. 00:37:53 - Initial investment without proper interest risks loss. 00:40:30 - Podcast covers kosher industry trends and news. 00:44:04 - Growing trends in kosher market, quality products. The success of marketing campaigns hinges on a clear and compelling message. No matter how visually appealing, advertising efforts will fall flat without strong content and a focused message. Marketing’s core goal is to get products on and off the shelves. While the mediums may evolve, such as the rise of social media, the essence of marketing remains the same. Major brands often overlook opportunities by not fully engaging with the Jewish market. Expanding beyond just kosher certification can unlock growth by better reaching this community. There is a growing trend towards healthy eating in the kosher market, with increasing demand for organic, gluten-free, and sugar-free products. This shift, driven largely by younger generations, mirrors broader market trends. The Jewish community has shown remarkable creativity in producing quality kosher products that appeal not only to Jews but also to non-Jewish consumers who see kosher as a mark of higher quality. lubicom https://ptex.co/pandadoc
138
Adaptive Leadership in Business Expansion with Bentzi Elkouby
Adaptive Leadership in Business Expansion with Bentzi Elkouby
Nov 25, 2024
48:57
In today's episode of Let's Talk Business, we're thrilled to revisit an enlightening discussion on the intricate balance between personal charisma and business branding. Join your host, Meny Hoffman, as he dives deep with Bentzi Elkouby, an accomplished entrepreneur who transformed a friend's coaching business into a flourishing enterprise without any prior business experience. Bentzi shares his inspiring journey from the UK to the US, where he saw the potential in English language coaching for non-native speakers, especially in sectors like high tech and outsourced work. He discusses the pivotal strategies he used to scale his company sustainably, ensuring financial accountability and operational efficiency, and emphasizes the significance of creating both personal and business mission statements to enhance interactions and delineate boundaries. They discuss how Bentzi's company differentiates itself with a concierge-style service that prioritizes customer satisfaction over conventional language software. The conversation highlights strategic planning, cautious financial management, and the tailored approach of one-on-one coaching to maximize client success. Moreover, Meny reveals his own experiences and struggles with work-life balance, branding, and scaling his business. He shares practical entrepreneurial advice, emphasizing the value of proving business concepts before expansion, managing employee loyalty, and the benefits of an "Innovation Hour" to explore automation and modernize business operations. Tune in to gain invaluable insights on creating effective business processes, the power of delegation, and maintaining a strong professional network in today's dynamic entrepreneurial landscape. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or a seasoned business owner, this episode is packed with actionable strategies and profound reflections that can help you navigate the complexities of both personal and professional growth. 00:06:17 - Understanding profit structures opens more opportunities 00:09:49 - Struggles with balancing work and fast turnover 00:12:50 - Emphasizing entrepreneurial passion and growth transition 00:13:35 - Course helps business leaders address growth challenges 00:19:42 - Empower employees, reward sales, redefine client trust 00:20:34 - Remote work boosts productivity and personal branding 00:23:39 - Understanding client pain points for effective marketing 00:27:22 - Separated personal and PTEX brands for focus 00:30:23 - Personal brand vs. broader company representation strategy 00:34:15 - Explaining progressive verb forms in English 00:39:47 - Jewish and British cultures share matchmaking practices 00:41:46 - Balance: prioritize 100% where needed, communicate effectively 00:44:41 - Business isn't for everyone; consider alternatives 00:47:46 - Networking, feedback, skills drive growth and innovation Pratical Pointers : Bentzi emphasizes the importance of proving business concepts and ensuring financial stability before expanding. His story serves as a reminder that strategic planning and cautious financial management are crucial, particularly in people-oriented businesses, to achieve sustainable growth. The discussion highlights the challenges of managing dual identities as a business owner and public figure. Bentzi shares strategies for maintaining clear boundaries between personal charisma and professional expertise, illustrating how separate mission statements for personal and business brands can enhance both interactions. Bentzi’s success story illustrates the value of building and maintaining a strong professional network. Engaging with peers and mentors provides diverse perspectives and opportunities, which can be pivotal for personal growth and business success. Bentzi emphasizes that a customer-centric approach not only builds loyalty but also drives innovation by encouraging feedback and iteration. Transitioning from an ESL teacher to a successful entrepreneur, Bentzi highlights how constantly acquiring new skills and adapting to changing business landscapes can drive growth and innovation.
139
Leveraging Shark Tank Exposure for Business Growth with Morri Chowaiki
Leveraging Shark Tank Exposure for Business Growth with Morri Chowaiki
Nov 18, 2024
48:23
In today's episode of Let's Talk Business, we are thrilled to share this conversation with Morri Chowaiki, a successful entrepreneur, Shark Tank alum, and head of sales and special partnerships for Daymond John's Shark Group. Hosted by Meny Hoffman, this episode dives deep into Morri's extensive experience in business, offering listeners invaluable advice on pitching, partnerships, and entrepreneurial resilience. Morri shares his transformational journey from growing up in Los Angeles to achieving significant success in various business ventures, including his memorable appearance on Shark Tank. This narrative emphasizes the importance of authenticity, preparedness, and leveraging opportunities to build lasting relationships. Listeners will gain crucial insights into the art of pitching to investors, understanding business metrics, and the value of aligning personal and professional brands for long-term success. The episode also explores the pivotal role of resilience, adaptability, and creating genuine, impactful connections in the entrepreneurial realm. Moreover, Morri unveils the intricate details of the Shark Tank process, from auditioning to post-show due diligence, offering a candid look at what it takes to stand out. He shares his firsthand experience of working both sides of the Shark Tank process, which enriches his insights on nurturing successful business partnerships. The conversation delves into the intersection of personal and professional life, reflecting on the sacrifices, challenges, and rewards of the entrepreneurial journey. Morri and Meny also touch upon the critical importance of work-life balance, setting boundaries, and finding personal satisfaction in one's career endeavors. Through thought-provoking anecdotes and expert guidance, this episode delivers actionable strategies for entrepreneurs to optimize their pitches, foster meaningful relationships, and navigate the complexities of business with integrity and resilience. Whether you're new to entrepreneurship or looking to refine your approach, this episode is brimming with valuable takeaways to help you thrive. Tune in to discover how embracing authenticity and strategic thinking can propel your business and personal growth. Resources : Morri's Linkedin The Shark Group Panda Doc 00:05:25 - Modern kids lack financial and practical education 00:09:56 - Worked hard balancing theater, work, and classes 00:12:01 - Action distinguishes entrepreneurs from dreamers 00:14:27 - Have resources and passion to succeed entrepreneurially 00:19:17 - Auditioned for Shark Tank; didn't progress further 00:22:30 - No guarantees on Shark Tank appearances airing 00:26:14 - Maintained connection through favors for influential individual 00:27:52 - Top motivational speaker inspires Fortune 500 audiences 00:31:47 - Seek opportunities aligning with intuition for growth 00:35:12 - Personality and sincerity matter more than resumes 00:38:17 - Focus on investor's interests, not personal gain 00:39:50 - Pitch well, maintain relations, choose strategic partners 00:43:22 - He achieved rapid success through entrepreneurship programs 00:47:06 - Support, balance, resilience crucial for success Practical Pointers Learning from mentors and industry icons can provide invaluable guidance in one’s entrepreneurial journey. Mentors offer experience-based insights and advice that can accelerate personal and professional growth. Morri emphasizes the importance of authenticity in building lasting business relationships. Genuine interactions foster trust and loyalty, which are essential for sustainable success. A strong support system, both personally and professionally, is integral to entrepreneurial success. Morri’s experience illustrates how surrounding oneself with supportive individuals can provide encouragement, advice, and resources during challenging times. Insights from industry icons like Kevin O'Leary and Mark Cuban emphasize the necessity of balancing professional ambitions with personal life. Achieving this balance is crucial for long-term success and personal well-being. Morri’s journey is a testament to the power of resilience, demonstrating how maintaining a strong and adaptable mindset can help navigate both personal and professional obstacles. This quality enables individuals to persevere in the face of setbacks and continue striving toward their goals.
140
Mastering Focus and Adaptation in Uncertain Times with Isaac Bardos
Mastering Focus and Adaptation in Uncertain Times with Isaac Bardos
Nov 11, 2024
50:56
In today's rerun episode of Let's Talk Business, we are thrilled to revisit an inspiring discussion with Isaac Bardos, a renowned business coach, public speaker, and former college athlete. Hosted by Meny Hoffman, this episode delves into Isaac's remarkable journey from being underestimated to achieving success in various fields. Isaac shares his transformative experience of discovering his public speaking talent during a high-stakes college Shabbaton, turning a perceived weakness into a powerful strength. This narrative underscores the potential that lies within challenging moments and the transformative power of necessity. Listeners will gain valuable insights into rethinking leadership and personal growth, as Isaac discusses how upbringing and personal choices shape our paths. The episode highlights the importance of resilience, relatability, and the learnable nature of leadership, encouraging even those hesitant to lead to cultivate impactful leadership skills. Additionally, Isaac shares practical strategies for business growth, emphasizing the significance of genuine engagement, financial literacy, and the role of vulnerability in fostering innovation and trust within teams. Through compelling anecdotes and expert advice, this episode offers actionable strategies for aspiring leaders and entrepreneurs to harness their hidden talents and navigate challenges with purpose and resilience. Tune in to explore how embracing vulnerability and maintaining focus can drive both personal and business success. Whether you're an emerging leader or an established business owner, this episode is packed with insights to help you unlock your full potential. 00:00:00 - Discovering Your Calling 00:12:09 - Leading With Purpose and Resilience 00:24:06 - Metrics and Scaling for Business Growth 00:35:11 - Mastering Focus and Adaptation in Business 00:40:32 - Embracing Vulnerability for Business Growth 00:49:22 - Effective Leadership and Business Strategies Pratical Pointers : “Having a calling” doesn’t mean that you’re going to save the world; it means that you find yourself in a certain situation at a certain time - and you showed up and did what had to be done. Leadership is effective when a leader demonstrates empathy by showing up, participating, and above all listening. That will encourage your employees to follow where you lead them more than simply issuing orders from above. Although leaders like being seen as the experts who know everything, people will look to you for guidance and open up to you if you are willing to be vulnerable and open up to them, too. Great business leaders are like great coaches: they look at themselves and their opponents in order to discover the patterns. If you’re not sure where something is going, zoom out, notice the patterns, and that will help you figure out the most appropriate steps to take and what steps to avoid.
141
The Importance of SEO Integration from Day One with Stephan Spencer
The Importance of SEO Integration from Day One with Stephan Spencer
Oct 14, 2024
40:19
In today's rerun episode of Let's Talk Business, we are thrilled to revisit an enlightening discussion on the interconnected realms of SEO, spirituality, and personal development. Join your host, Meny Hoffman, as he sits down with Stephan Spencer, a renowned SEO expert, author, and podcaster who integrates his profound spiritual beliefs into his professional life. Stephan Spencer’s journey transcends traditional business success. As the founder of Netconcepts and author of multiple books on SEO, Stephan has worked with some of the world's largest brands including Volvo and Sony, optimizing their online presence. In this episode, He discusses the importance of aligning personal values with professional goals, and how maintaining a mindset open to miracles can influence business growth and success. The conversation also delves deep into practical SEO strategies. Stephan emphasizes the necessity of integrating SEO from the planning stages of website development and using tools like Moz, Ahrefs, and Semrush for competitive keyword research. Stephan elaborates on the risks of depending solely on third-party platforms and the benefits of maintaining content on personal blogs or resource centers. He offers advice on developing linkable assets and ensuring proper setup of Google Search Console and Analytics to track performance. 00:04:24 - Balancing SEO expertise with spiritual purpose pursuits. 00:07:51 - SEO builds enduring assets; PPC has limitations. 00:10:04 - Research keywords, plan content, build linkable assets. 00:13:26 - Combine text with visuals for engaging content. 00:18:48 - Own your content; don't rely on platforms. 00:22:03 - Ensure Google accounts and tools are set up. 00:25:42 - Substantiated SEO case studies with detailed results. 00:27:15 - Free SEO hiring guide and interview tools available. 00:32:55 - Synchronicities increase with benevolence, creating cycles. 00:35:15 - Personal growth starts within, influences others. 00:38:01 - Optimize SEO: Research keywords, prioritize user-friendly content. When you plan to redesign your website and you want to make sure that you’re optimizing your SEO, research keywords in advance using tools such as Semrush or Moz Keyword Explorer, in order to identify keywords that your competitors are ranking in, and you’re not. Too many companies work so hard at search engine optimization that they make their sites keyword-rich, but also extremely boring and unhelpful. What should you do? Use those keywords, have rich and valuable content, but avoid a long wall of text. Instead, use short sentences and short paragraphs, while adding lots of imagery, screen shots, pull quotes, and YouTube embeds. That’s the way you can have the best of both worlds. If you hire a professional firm to help you with SEO, don’t just look for a referrals page; look for a results page, with actual numbers that you can analyze. Ideally, this should include case studies explaining the background information, the solution, and results that substantiate the claims that the company makes. You should also be able to take the firm’s clients’ URLs and use various tools to verify that the results are to your satisfaction. Social media presents two obvious problems: first, you’re subject to the rules and whims of the social media companies, and second, no one looks at posts from last month. So turn your social media posts into blog entries on your website- but call them something else, like a research center, academy, or university. Make sure to organize them by subject rather than by date, so that it won’t matter how long they’ve been up.
142
The SOP Survival Guide for Busy Entrepreneurs with Chris Ronzio
The SOP Survival Guide for Busy Entrepreneurs with Chris Ronzio
Oct 7, 2024
33:55
In today's rerun episode of Let's Talk Business, we're excited to bring back an insightful conversation focusing on the significance of systems and processes in scaling a business. Join your host, Meny Hoffman, as he sits down with Chris Ranzio, the founder and CEO of Trainual, a SaaS platform dedicated to small business onboarding, training, and scaling. Chris started his entrepreneurial journey at the age of 14 with a video production company, learning valuable lessons about business processes early on. Now, as the author of "The Business Playbook" and the host of his own podcasts, Chris shares his expertise on the importance of proper systems, processes, and delegation for business growth. In this episode, Chris explains how Trainual, which has grown to 81 employees in just four years, uses detailed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to manage its rapid growth and ensure consistency. He discusses why managing growth can often be more challenging than achieving it, due to the necessity of clear processes and effective delegation. Chris shares valuable insights on the entrepreneurial journey, moving from performing all tasks alone to efficiently using tools and collaborating with team members. He highlights the complexity of managing team dynamics and the importance of creating long-term value and structure over getting stuck in everyday tasks. Additionally, Chris emphasizes the power of delegation, outlining the differences between delegating tasks and delegating responsibilities. He offers practical advice on creating effective SOPs, ensuring clear expectations, and training team members for better accountability 00:02:00 - Transitioned roles, built systems; founded Trainual later. 00:05:39 - Managing growth is harder than starting businesses. 00:09:11 - Entrepreneurs scale by delegating and focusing long-term. 00:10:15 - Leaders focus on unique, non-delegable tasks. 00:15:25 - Delegate responsibilities, not tasks; ensure comprehensive training. 00:19:49 - Onboarding confirms or ruins new employees' initial experience. 00:20:46 - Offer $5,000 for employees to quit early. 00:25:20 - Importance of context, timing, success, and steps. 00:28:42 - Business change frequency influenced by industry pace, hiring. 00:30:58 - Delegation crucial early; formalize roles with growth. Chris Ronzio is the founder and CEO of Trainual, a leading SaaS platform that transforms the way small businesses onboard, train and scale their teams. Chris is the host of “The Fastest Growing Companies” and “Organize Chaos” podcasts as well as the author of the best-selling book “The Business Playbook – How to Document and Delegate What You Do So Your Company Can Grow Beyond You.” http://www.trainual.com/ http://www.thebusinessplaybook.com/ https://www.ptex.co/pandadoc
143
Delivering Promises and Elevate Business Credibility with Gerry O’Brion
Delivering Promises and Elevate Business Credibility with Gerry O’Brion
Sep 30, 2024
45:19
In today's rerun episode of Let's Talk Business, we're excited to bring back an insightful conversation with a marketing legend who has helped generate billions in revenue for major brands. Join our host, Meny Hoffman, as he sits down with Gerry O’Brien—author, speaker, and advisor—to delve into the powerful strategies and insights that have shaped Gerry's remarkable career. Gerry has worked with household names like Procter & Gamble, Coors Lite, and Red Robin. He is known for his innovative marketing concepts, such as the color-changing mountains on Coors Lite bottles. In this episode, Gerry shares his expertise on how small businesses can stand out in competitive markets without massive marketing budgets. Gerry O'Brion emphasizes the power of word-of-mouth referrals and decreased training times by specializing in specific areas, such as Volkswagen car repairs. He explains that small businesses can learn from large brands by listening to and gathering insights from customers to understand their choices and preferences. A significant challenge in influencing customer decisions lies in external factors and the credibility of a company's claims. Gerry highlights the necessity of providing proof for business promises—referred to as the "because" factor—which helps differentiate a company from its competition and assures customers they're making the right choice. O’Brion promotes his book "They Buy Your Because," offering additional resources through his website, and underscores the value of consistent brand messaging across all platforms. He also discusses the role of inspirational "why" messages internally while stressing the importance of clear and unique value propositions in customer-facing communications. Key insights include the need for small businesses to identify unique aspects of their offerings, ask why existing customers choose them over the competition, and tailor their approach to varied sales scenarios. These strategies, coupled with understanding customer mindsets and problems, enhance a small business’s ability to succeed in a crowded market. 00:04:51 - Focus efforts, refine niche, demonstrate unique value. 00:09:25 - Proof distinguishes your promise from marketing fluff. 00:12:45 - Helping businesses find their "because" for differentiation. 00:14:22 - What makes your business exceptional? List specifics. 00:17:01 - Strategically structure website for effective visitor engagement. 00:22:43 - Varied outreach methods tailored to listener's company. 00:26:06 - Innovative weed control additive for resistant pests. 00:28:47 - Understand and address decision maker's real concerns. 00:30:51 - Optimize messaging sequence based on consumer insights. 00:34:30 - Narrow your focus to grow faster financially. 00:38:50 - Ensure audience targeting, understanding, outcomes, and credibility. 00:42:42 - Identify clients, unique value, and effective persuasion. 00:43:44 - Focus on delivering a unique, authentic because. The first question a business owner needs to ask is, Where do my current clients come from - and where can I find more like them? Many times, the answer is in small niches where people already value what you offer. That means that the next question you need to ask is, What does your business bring to the table that the bigger competitor doesn’t bring or can’t bring? And the third question which follows is, What is the most effective way of convincing those potential clients that you offer something that bigger companies do not? The biggest mistake that companies make when it comes to marketing, is making promises without also giving the “Because” - meaning, the reason that you will be able to keep your promise. Promises without a “because” sound like empty marketing fluff. Promises with a “because” offer a compelling reason for a potential client to choose you instead of someone else. The following exercise is very important: Write down, “You should buy from us instead of from our competitors because- “ and complete the sentence with your authentic answer. If your answer sounds the same as any of your competitors, you’re just adding to your customers’ confusion, when they actually want certainty that they’re making the right decision. So think long and hard about the “because” that will make your business unique while remaining true to what you can actually do. Many people confuse their “Because” with their “Why” - and that’s a big mistake. Your “Why” is the reason that you do what you do, and is a type of mission statement that can inspire you and your employees. But when you’re selling something and a customer is about to give you money, he doesn’t care about your “Why”; he cares about your “Because” - meaning, what you do differently from everyone else, and how you can deliver that unique aspect to your client. When you talk about your “Because,” you are giving your client the certainty that buying from you is the right choice. The main thing that big companies do better than small companies is listening and learning from their customers. Understanding the mindset of the people you serve is the foundation of all influence. So act like the big companies, and learn to ask questions. Make surveys. Go to the people who chose your competitor instead of you and ask them why they made that decision. Getting this information will help you better focus on how to close the next sale. Gerry Website Linkedin They Buy Your Because Panda Doc
144
Unlock the Power of Customer Retention and Reactivation with Mitch Axelrod
Unlock the Power of Customer Retention and Reactivation with Mitch Axelrod
Sep 23, 2024
44:41
In today's episode of Let's Talk Business, we are thrilled to welcome Mitch Axelrod, an entrepreneurial powerhouse, speaker, trainer, advisor, best-selling author, and a man who has significantly contributed to generating over $3 billion in revenue. Join our host, Meny Hoffman, as he sits down with Mitch to unravel the profound insights and strategies that have defined Mitch's illustrious career. We'll delve into Mitch Axelrod's inspiring path from a seasoned salesperson to a thought leader in the world of sales strategies. Mitch will share his revolutionary approach known as "The New Game of Selling," which emphasizes long-term client relationships over transactional sales. You will also learn about the impactful question that Mitch claims has been instrumental in generating substantial revenue. Discover how Mitch has successfully integrated marketing, sales, and service to create a holistic strategy for attracting, converting, and retaining customers. He explains how qualifying prospects early and adding real value, like sharing top 20 no-load mutual funds with clients, has helped him build trust and maintain confidentiality. In this episode, Mitch and Meny discuss the importance of understanding the roles of different corporate buyers, building authentic business relationships, and fostering a win-win philosophy in deals. You'll hear about Mitch's unique methods for engaging clients, maintaining long-term relationships, and the significance of being a trusted advisor. Episode Timestamps 04:58 Focus on genuine potential clients, not indifferent ones. 09:40 Help clients attract, convert, retain, and reactivate customers. 13:04 Focus on their buying cycle for success. 14:42 Understanding clients' needs to facilitate their journeys. 17:04 Supporting brand journeys; focus on existing clients. 23:42 Build relationships and understand client needs deeply. 25:12 Prioritize long-term relationships post-sale for success. 28:45 Questioning authenticity: genuine or mere marketing tool? 33:39 Switch seats, advocate together, achieve mutual understanding. 35:43 Identify stakeholders and their roles for sales decisions. 40:19 Everyone matters: allies or adversaries based on approach. 42:41 Work backwards, language distinctions, leverage existing clients. Practical Pointers that can learned from this episode : Use impactful questions to understand your clients' needs and motivations, which can drive significant revenue and deeper relationships. Don’t waste time on unlikely customers. Ask your prospects upfront critical questions to gauge their potential as clients. Use real feedback from your satisfied clients to attract similar customers. Directly ask your successful clients, "What was the main benefit you received from our service?" Start with serving rather than selling. Begin your meetings or calls with, "What’s the biggest challenge you’re facing right now that I might help with?" When re-engaging lapsed clients, authenticity is key. Refrain from using scripted, generic follow-ups. Instead, say, "I realized it’s been a while since we last connected, and I wanted to make sure your needs are still being met." Links : https://ptex.co/pandadoc https://thenewgameofselling.com/ https://www.youtube.com/user/mitchaxelrod https://www.facebook.com/mitchaxelrod
145
The Magic of Luck and Grit in Business with Guy Kawasaki
The Magic of Luck and Grit in Business with Guy Kawasaki
Sep 9, 2024
30:55
Guy Kawasaki shares his inspiring trajectory, beginning with his early days in the jewelry business, where he honed essential selling skills that set the foundation for his future endeavors. Recruited by his college classmate, Guy made a pivotal transition to the Apple Macintosh Division, marking the start of his significant contributions to the tech world. This episode sheds light on Guy’s philosophies, including the realistic outlook on pursuing interests that may eventually transform into lifelong passions. We also delve into the nuances of career transitions, the vital role of empathy and resilience in sales, and the modern landscape of democratizing design through tools like Canva. Guy reveals the serendipitous journey that led him to Canva and his mission to make design accessible to all. Through his extensive experience and captivating anecdotes, Guy imparts practical advice on innovation, product development, and the entrepreneurial mindset. Moreover, Guy Kawasaki opens up about his podcast, "Remarkable People," featuring stories that inspire and motivate listeners through the achievements of extraordinary individuals. Gain insights into Guy's meticulous preparation for interviews, his favorite podcast moments, and episodes that left a lasting impact. Tune in for a conversation that promises to elevate your understanding of business dynamics, spark innovation, and inspire you to embrace luck and resilience on your entrepreneurial path. 00:04:23 - Standout: Learning sales from unconventional experiences in life. 00:08:24 - Upgrade proposals with Pandadoc: organized, professional, efficient. 00:11:04 - Innovation essential; focus on customer needs, not product. 00:16:09 - Innovation through personal desire and empathy works. 00:17:26 - Customer feedback, talent, mission-driven work foster success. 00:22:49 - Guy Kawasaki became chief evangelist of Canva unexpectedly. 00:25:18 - Remarkable podcast featuring in-depth interviews with luminaries. Connect with Guy Follow him on LinkedIn and Twitter. Head to Guy Kawasaki and see how you could become more remarkable! We’re a passionate bunch. Together, we help your business flourish. Visit: https://ptexgroup.com Let’s Talk Exits! Check out my new podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lets-talk-exits/id1606747718 Connect with Ptex Group: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn LEAVE A REVIEW + and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to achieve in business. Listen to previous episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts! Resources mentioned: Book: If You Want To Write - Brenda Ueland
146
Mastering Chaos with Automation, Strategy, Leadership with Clate Mask
Mastering Chaos with Automation, Strategy, Leadership with Clate Mask
Sep 2, 2024
43:07
In today's episode, we dive deep into the transformative world of business automation and effective leadership with our esteemed guest, Clate Mask, co-founder of Keep (formerly Infusionsoft). Join us as we uncover valuable insights from Clate's journey in revolutionizing small business operations through automation and his latest book, "Conquer the Chaos 2.0." Clate Mask shares his inspiring journey from developing a CRM tool for direct response marketers to creating a comprehensive automation platform that empowers small business owners. He emphasizes the importance of achieving not just growth but also profitability and freedom, providing key takeaways that can help entrepreneurs elevate their operations to new heights. In this episode, we also explore the rollercoaster of entrepreneurship, focusing on the critical aspects of mindset, personal vision, and the rhythm of execution. Clate and I delve into personal stories and research-backed strategies to help you navigate the highs and lows of running a business. Learn how setting personal goals separate from business objectives can ensure a fulfilling life beyond the dream of your enterprise. Finally, we dive into the essence of leadership and building a culture of excellence within your organization. Clate discusses the co-creation process between leaders and their teams, iterative planning, and inclusive decision-making. Tune in for actionable insights that promise to uplift your entrepreneurial journey and provide the tools you need to master small business automation and leadership. https://ptex.co/pandadoc https://keap.com/lp/keap-growth-and-freedom-playbook http://ptexgroup.com/goals https://conquerthechaosbook.com/ http://keap.com/ 00:04:20 - Frustrated by manual processes, found Infusionsoft software. 00:08:27 - Update book on marketing automation for small businesses. 00:10:53 - Entrepreneurship is exciting but has a dark side. 00:16:13 - Upgrade to Pandadoc for efficient document management. 00:19:50 - Establish purpose, values, mission, set goals. Balance in physical, spiritual, social, business, financial. 00:20:45 - Balance business, financial, social, physical, spiritual goals. 00:26:34 - Balancing leadership between dictatorship and democracy. 00:28:29 - Iterative process of drafting and refining. 00:32:24 - Automation drives profit; people, products, process produce. Leadership is about establishing clear culture. 00:37:00 - Focus on balance, reduce chaos in business. 00:39:39 - Free resources for personal and business success. That’s my conversation with Clate Mask. My takeaways from this one: Embrace Automation: Automate various aspects of your business operations, from marketing and sales to internal processes, to achieve growth, profitability, and freedom. Use Comprehensive Tools: Utilize platforms like Keep to centralize and streamline your business processes, enhancing efficiency and effectiveness. Understand the Evolution of Technology: Stay updated with technological advancements like AI to leverage new tools and strategies for business growth. Develop a Personal Vision: Separate your personal goals from your business objectives to ensure a fulfilling life beyond the dreams of your enterprise. Implement Customer Lifecycle Automation: Automate customer follow-up processes to ensure consistent and effective engagement, leading to higher satisfaction and retention.
147
3 Reasons Why Amazon Won't Acquire Your Business with Carla Coll Valenti
3 Reasons Why Amazon Won't Acquire Your Business with Carla Coll Valenti
Jun 2, 2022
45:20
This week on the show, Carla Cole Valentine joins us to talk about the negotiation and due diligence process for selling an Amazon or eCommerce brand. She breaks down the process into different timeframes, including 30 days, 90 days, and 3 years. Carla Coll Valenti is Senior Strategic Integration Manager at SellerX . Carla’s background is in consulting and law, having obtained Masters’ Degrees in both of these disciplines. Before joining SellerX, she spent four years at the Boston Consulting Group in her native Barcelona. There, she worked across different sectors to improve operations and profit margins for multiple global businesses and brands. Since she joined SellerX she has integrated over 10 businesses focusing on their growth and works on creating and improving current processes. Her passion lies in growing businesses, traveling in emerging markets and volunteering. [00:02 - 04:32] How Carla Cole Valentine Helped Hundreds of Amazon and Ecommerce Brands Succeed • Carla shares her story and insights on the negotiation process and due diligence process Be in the know of what happens after a business is sold A passion in growing businesses and finding enjoyment in traveling through markets [04:33 - 15:10] How to Exit a Successful eCommerce Business in the Last Six Months •The Ecommerce Market is Booming • The main focus for sellers should be growing their business and increasing top-line and margin • Seller X is looking to acquire companies that satisfy specific criteria, such as products that have been selling for three to five years and will continue to do so in the next three to five years. • How to Sell a Business When It's Not Picture Perfect [15:11 - 19:42] How to Sell a Brand: Questions to Ask from the Buyer • When selling a brand, it is important to have a multiple that applies to good margins and good growth and good revenues. • The maximum of it doesn't mean only an upfront. It's also stability, payment or an earnest that you'll get later on in time working with the company for some time after you actually sold it with us. • When sellers are initiating this process, they should be asking questions about the buyer's plans for the brand, their team and the money they will make. [19:43 - 24:18] 3 Reasons Why Amazon Won't Acquire Your Business • Compliance is key when selling on Amazon • Due diligence is important to ensure the product is compliant and the brand is growing • Selling your business can be a stressful decision, but don't worry, you're not alone. [24:18 - 32:25] Sellers Listen to This Episode to Prepare for Post-Acquisition Integration • Sellers should be fair when playing with Amazon to avoid suspensions. • A goal after acquisition is to integrate the brand and get it up and running as soon as possible • 90 Days to Grow Top Line: Making Sure Integration is Done Well Focus on three main areas: integration, launchpad plan, and operations. The priority for growth in the first 90 days is to make sure that the brand is performing well. [32:26 - 37:35] Sellers Listening to Insider Information • There are a variety of aggregators in the space, each with their own specialization. • It is still possible for someone to enter the space and sell within 24 months. • The author enjoys working with a team and seeing the businesses grow. [43:05 - 45:14] How to Sell on Amazon and Ecommerce • Carla on the four rapid-fire questions • Book a strategy session, drop your questions and comments on https://letstalkexits.com Key Quotes: "Be fair when you're playing with Amazon. Okay. Be fair." - Carla Coll Valenti "Complexity differs a lot among geographic marketplace and product expansion." - Carla Coll Valenti Connect with Carla Website https://sellerx.com/ Seller X (LinkedIn) Carla Coll Valenti (LinkedIn) Visit Let’s Talk Exits and drop your questions and comments at https://letstalkexits.com Connect with Meny on LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/menyhoffman LEAVE A REVIEW + and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to achieve their ideal exit. Listen to previous episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts!
148
The Importance of Building a Brand with Your Customer’s Interest in Mind with Adam “Heist” Runquist
The Importance of Building a Brand with Your Customer’s Interest in Mind with Adam “Heist” Runquist
Mar 31, 2022
45:25
Are you putting your Amazon customer’s interests at the forefront before the data? Oftentimes people do it the other way around, but what sharpens the success of a brand lies in creating worthwhile reasons for those customers to purchase. In today’s show, we have a special guest, Adam "Heist" Runquist, an educator, Amazon brand builder, and advisor to D1 Brands where he has raised $150 million to purchase DTC physical product brands. We have a great conversation about the Amazon space and the projections for the future. He digs into how you can maximize your potential as well as scale your business in the Amazon marketplace. Adam explains that there is still room for anyone to enter the Amazon space, and it’s best to do so with an understanding of what aggregators are looking for. His energy and passion are contagious, you won’t want to miss what he’s got to share. Listen and enjoy! Adam "Heist" Runquist spent the majority of his career as a buttoned-up corporate guy. After the Fortune 300 company, he worked for acquired outdoor products brand Goal Zero - he moved out to Utah and spent four years discovering the power of physical products brands and ultimately marketplace sales channels like Amazon. He has since started, scaled, and exited numerous Amazon-centric channel brands and recently became an investor and advisor to D1 Brands - who has raised $150M+ to purchase DTC physical products brands. Adam also runs the Youtube channel "Adam Heist" - where he focuses on amazon channel strategy and using physical products businesses to "break free" from the 9 to 5. [00:01 - 08:01] Discovering the Amazon Space Adam Runquist’s experience before Amazon Working at an energy company (NRG) Doing aggregation for electricity companies Buying Goal Zero (portable power batteries) Visiting 18 factories in China How Adam changed his road once he discovered Amazon Having a $3 million Amazon account [08:02 - 18:15] Well-Thought-Out Brands and Offers Adam Runquist’s advice for people who what to enter the Amazon space What makes entrepreneurs win in Amazon today They think about the customer first How you can create a reason for customers to click and purchase The importance of focusing on offering the customer first instead of the data on Amazon Keep in mind that dynamics are changing with complexity and costs How much does branding play a role with brands? A brand reveals things that consumers evaluate A philosophical debate of what catches your attention [18:16 - 41:05] The Aggregated Space Adam Runquist’s outlook about when you should or shouldn’t start to sell Do a personal inventory of your situation Aspects people need to pay attention to when evaluating an aggregator How aggregators are thinking about valuation Consider the post-offer elements, the structure elements, and the human side Think about how much of the money's guaranteed Adam shares how he chose one aggregator Have a fair financial offer and trust the aggregators Be sure that aggregators will operate the business through the LOI process Build a durable and predictable business [41:06 - 45:13] Closing Segment Adam on the four rapid-fire questions Book a strategy session, drop your questions and comments on https://letstalkexits.com Key Quotes: “[Amazon] is not a difficult business, it's not rocket science, but it's kind of like a couple of dozen things that you don't need to be an expert at.” - Adam Runquist “Use the data to inform and sharpen your decision making, but don't use it to create your decisions” - Adam Runquist “[Branding] is about being able to deliver the value proposition of the product you're representing, in an emotional interesting way.” - Adam Runquist “You operate differently as an entrepreneur when you have less risk in your personal life.” - Adam Runquist Connect with Adam www.fbablueprint.com Adam Heist - Youtube Channel @AdamHeist (Facebook) Visit Let’s Talk Exits and drop your questions and comments https://letstalkexits.com Connect with Meny on LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/menyhoffman LEAVE A REVIEW + and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to achieve their ideal exit. Listen to previous episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts!
149
Why The Importance of Solid Operations is Key to Maximize Brands Post-Acquisition with Yury Gurevich
Why The Importance of Solid Operations is Key to Maximize Brands Post-Acquisition with Yury Gurevich
Apr 7, 2022
39:14
As entrepreneurs, we continually seek out ways to improve our operations to expand our brand and business. A large factor in making this achievable is to set up stable and trustworthy teams whose goal is to bridge to the overarching company goals. In this week’s episode, we have an incredible guest, Yury Gurevich, COO at Elevate Brands. We have an insightful talk about the importance of having a solid operational team to maximize brands' post-acquisition potential. He also shares his obsession with data and the significance of being analytical when it comes to decision-making. Pay close attention to his leadership journey and what he brought along from his 10-year venture at Amazon. Listen and enjoy! Yury is a senior executive who recently join Elevate Brands as their Chief Operating Officer with over 10 years of sr leadership experience in the 3P marketplace at Amazon where he built, scaled, and led several large organizations. He will oversee the global expansion of brands, leveraging a data and process-driven approach. His goal will be to execute on the company’s vision, which is to exceed the expectations of our customers everywhere. [00:01 - 10:57] Get into the Amazon Space Yury’s journey getting to Amazon Working on eCommerce 3PL Recruiting businesses to sell on Amazon Starting recruiting automotive sellers Beginning an inbound team Skills sets Yury has brought to Elevate from the 10-year venture at Amazon Operational rigor is driven by orientation on data [10:58 - 22:57] Make Integration Easier Through Organic Growth Elevate’s obsession with brands and operations Consider the five whys When brand managers are plugged into the acquisition process Yury’s insights about SOPs Make sure that we have a high investment in our tech and analytics organization Make sure updates are incredibly data-driven Audit and track are key Processes sellers can put in place that will make integration easier Ensure that your data and operations show organic growth [22:58 - 37:11] How Teams Should Integrate and Work Together Learnings Yury credit to Amazon regarding brands and teams Have goals be the forcing function of how teams are supposed to integrate How to communicate with the team staying on the macro level vs the micro level Have weekly, monthly, and quarterly business reviews The way that analytics is structured is critical Yury’s outlook on Amazon seeing the growth of sellers and private level brands Go from bringing on existing businesses to people starting and growing their business on Amazon Amazon's perspective of the aggregator space [37:12 - 39:13] Closing Segment Yury on the four rapid-fire questions Book a strategy session, drop your questions and comments on https://letstalkexits.com Key Quotes: “Standardization is the best way to either make something super great or have it failed miserably.” - Yury Gurevich “If [teams] goals don't bridge to the overarching company goal, there's a defect somewhere” - Yury Gurevich “You can have all the data in the world, but if it's not visualized, and structured in the proper way, it’s just noise.” - Yury Gurevich Connect with Yury https://www.elevatebrands.com/ Yury Gurevich (LinkedIn) Visit Let’s Talk Exits and drop your questions and comments https://letstalkexits.com Connect with Meny on LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/menyhoffman LEAVE A REVIEW + and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to achieve their ideal exit. Listen to previous episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts!
150
What Makes a Winning Brand with Perch’s VP of Acquisitions, Nate Jackson
What Makes a Winning Brand with Perch’s VP of Acquisitions, Nate Jackson
Apr 14, 2022
46:30
Have you ever considered that selling your brand is your best chance at maximizing the value of your business? In today’s episode, our guest, Nate Jackson, the VP of Acquisitions at Perch, shares his thoughts about what makes a great brand and what business owners can do to maximize its value. He also remarks on what you should look out for when interviewing a potential buyer to make sure it is a strategic one for your brand. Pay close attention to how Nate felt when he made his first millionaire. Listen and enjoy! Nate Jackson is the VP of Acquisitions at Perch, a technology-driven commerce company that acquires and operates top Amazon third-party and other D2C brands at scale. Perch has a team of operators who have the Amazon and broader eCommerce expertise that is necessary to help brands reach new heights. Prior to Perch, Nate was a Senior Manager at Bain & Company’s Private Equity Group. He received his MBA from Carnegie Mellon’s Tepper School of Business. [00:01 - 08:36] From Being an Engineer to Become an Incredible Entrepreneur Nate’s work experience and background Starting his career doing nuclear power plant for the Navy How he joined Bain & Company’s Private Equity Group Getting into the Amazon marketplace and working at Perch Third-party sellers How third-party sellers go to having billions of dollars being poured into eCommerce [08:37 - 25:51] Identifying a Great But Mismanaged Business Why purchasing a technology-driven eCommerce company could be a differentiation Nate’s insights about common main metrics people should consider The actual profitability of the business in the past 12 months The buyer's perception of the outlook into the future How buyers operate based on the value they see in the businesses Pivotal moments where buyers identify a great but mismanaged business Buyers are often most drawn to the shiny objects A trust factor between the buyer and the seller [25:52 - 44:00] Building a Phenomenal Company Nate shares some experiences where sellers pulled from a deal at the last minute When sellers should or shouldn’t sell What it’s the right time for your business How you think about the market conditions Capital, time, and talent Things sellers should look at when interviewing potential buyers What Nate does to build a phenomena company Hiring people that are both hungry and competitive Nate’s experiences taking ordinary people and making them millionaires [44:01 - 46:47] Closing Segment Nate on the four rapid-fire questions Book a strategy session, drop your questions and comments on https://letstalkexits.com Key Quotes: “The best offer comes from the person who has the highest confidence, and the ability to grow the business.” - Nate Jackson “Hiring for people that are both hungry and competitive. Understanding, accommodating, and team-oriented have been a really important part of our hiring focus approach. And I've seen it play out to great effects on our teams. ” - Nate Jackson Connect with Nate https://www.perchhq.com/ Nate Jackson (LinkedIn) Visit Let’s Talk Exits and drop your questions and comments https://letstalkexits.com Connect with Meny on LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/menyhoffman LEAVE A REVIEW + and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to achieve their ideal exit. Listen to previous episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts!
151
The Duality of Buying & Selling Amazon Ecosystem Brands with Jonathan Greenglass
The Duality of Buying & Selling Amazon Ecosystem Brands with Jonathan Greenglass
Apr 28, 2022
40:59
Are partnerships the key to unlocking the real value of your business and taking it to the next level? We are very familiar with the expression “If you want to go fast go alone, if you want to go far go together”, but only a few of us really understand what this means for our business and our team. In this week’s episode, our guest, Jonathan Greenglass shares his journey getting into Amazon and the reasons why he felt it was time to sell. He provides us with great insights about eCommerce from both the buyer and seller perspectives. He also breaks down the key components you should consider when having initial conversations with potential buyers and how you should prepare your business if you potentially want to exit. Most importantly, Jonathan gives us his outlook on the opportunities for people to enter the eCommerce and Amazon space. Listen and enjoy! Jonathan Greenglass is the Chief Growth Officer at Coil and is responsible for partnerships, member acquisition, affiliates, and investments. He began his career as an investment banker, advising companies on M&A and capital raising. After advising Imgur on its $40M Series A, he joined the team to help Imgur execute against its vision of lifting the world's spirits for a few moments every day. His team was responsible for strategy, programmatic revenue, business development, finance, and operations. During his time as CFO, he served as the right hand to the CEO, and was responsible for sourcing, negotiating, and executing Imgur's $20M series B. [00:01 - 09:54] How Jonathan Got Into Investment Banking Jonathan’s work experience and background Getting his first job in a detailing and landscaping business His journey with the digital media and the marketing ecosystem How he jumped into the Amazon ecosystem Moving from selling ads to physical products Jonathan’s transition from landscaping to investment banking [08:37 - 25:49] Entering the Market with Partners Who Had Real Skin in the Game Why Jonathan decided to buy an Amazon business How Jonathan was able to scale the Flywheel Commerce venture Produce a great product and earn the customer's business again Have partnerships is key to being successful How to scale and find an edge in an online or digital context Tommy shares his insights about the importance of partnerships Be all with the same mindset and be the right partners for each other The ability to do a Canada deal [25:50 - 38:01] It’s All About Relationships The current situation of the eCommerce market Have a big team and all the resources to go far and fast Have a thoughtful execution Jonathan’s outlook on the market for sellers What component sellers should consider when finding a buyer Build a relationship and a good rapport Things sellers should validate before getting into a deal with someone [31:02 - 40:59] Closing Segment Jonathan on the four rapid-fire questions Book a strategy session, drop your questions and comments on https://letstalkexits.com Key Quotes: “I have an opportunity to build a brand that lives in the heart minds and hands of my customers.” - Jonathan Greenglass “There's a lot smarter people in every single area of the business than I am. And if I can bring those people together, there's almost always going to be a locked value that together we can unlock.” - Jonathan Greenglass “I'm less concerned with what's Johnson GreenGlass his slice of the pie and more concerned with how can we build a really big pie together, ” - Jonathan Greenglass Connect with Jonathan Email: [email protected] Jonathan Greenglass (Twitter) Visit Let’s Talk Exits and drop your questions and comments https://letstalkexits.com Connect with Meny on LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/menyhoffman LEAVE A REVIEW + and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to achieve their ideal exit. Listen to previous episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts!
152
The Key to Differentiating Your Brand with Hamza Ramzan
The Key to Differentiating Your Brand with Hamza Ramzan
May 5, 2022
26:57
Some brands can grow immediately after post-acquisition within one or two months and some can take longer depending on how complex the brand is. However, what determines the success of a product is to identify and work on the specific growth levers that enable sellers to gain authority in their industry. This week, our guest is Hamza Ramzan, the Co-Founder, and VPO at D1 Brands. He breaks down relevant tips on how sellers can maximize the value of their business as they come close to a sale. He also shares his insights in regards to the current status of the Amazon marketplace for new sellers and discloses how he has built a culture within D1 that is healthy and scalable. Listen and enjoy! Hamza is the Co-founder and VP of Operations at D1 Brands where he’s primarily focused on overseeing the performance and growth of the company’s top Amazon-native brands. Prior to joining D1, Hamza had successfully launched and run several profitable brands on Amazon across multiple product categories with revenues run-rating $100M+. Hamza holds a degree in Business Marketing from New York University. [00:01 - 07:19] Sell Yourself on Amazon Hamza’s experience before being the co-founder of D1 Doing the Amazon selling machine course Looking for strategies to be differentiated in the Amazon space Acquiring his first brand in 2020 Hamza’s leadership role in the D1 success Focusing on brand maintenance and growth post-acquisition [07:30 - 17:07] Growing Brands to The Next Level Hamza’s non-negotiable for a brand Maintaining inventory, data-driven decisions, and product quality How sellers can know if they should keep optimizing a listing Hamza's standpoint of growing businesses beyond Amazon There are a bunch of other marketplaces out there E.g. Walmart The aggregators' perspective of growing a brand that is going down What can be done to improve the margin [17:08 - 25:16] How to Build a Harmonious Operation How to build a culture that is scalable and healthy Teams are single direct management Being customer-obsessed and having over communication Practical tips Hamza uses to inspect what sellers expect Having a monthly performance review The role of SOPs within D1 SOPs range from fundamental techniques to details of what sellers were doing before Hamza shares his insights about eCommerce [25:17 - 26:57] Closing Segment Hamza on the four rapid-fire questions Book a strategy session, drop your questions and comments on https://letstalkexits.com Key Quotes: “You ideally want to plant your seeds early on. So your brand and your products grow in the future. The earlier you plant the tree, the more it's gonna grow in the future.” - Hamza Ramzan “One man's trash, maybe another man's goals” - Hamza Ramzan “There is still room to grow, there's still room to launch. You really have to come to the market with a truly differentiated product now.” - Hamza Ramzan Connect with Hamza https://www.d1brands.io/ D1 Brands (LinkedIn) Hamza Ramzan (LinkedIn) Visit Let’s Talk Exits and drop your questions and comments https://letstalkexits.com Connect with Meny on LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/menyhoffman LEAVE A REVIEW + and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to achieve their ideal exit. Listen to previous episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts
153
How to Become A Thriving EXITpreneur with Joe Valley
How to Become A Thriving EXITpreneur with Joe Valley
May 12, 2022
48:43
Are you aware of what your business is truly worth? In today’s episode, Joe Valley, a serial entrepreneur, EXITpreneur, M&A Advisor, Podcaster, and Partner at Quiet Light Brokerage discloses the first step for selling your business and why you should prepare and reverse engineer your exit. Joe also remarks on the importance of making sure it’s the right time to sell and where your focus needs to be if you want to postpone your exit. Pay close attention to Joe’s insights about the aggregator space and how the pool of buyers are potentially way bigger than just aggregators. Listen and enjoy! Joe Valley is a serial entrepreneur, EXITpreneur, M&A Advisor, Podcaster, and Partner at Quiet Light Brokerage, one of the top online business brokerage-advisory firms in the world. Joe has also built, bought, or sold over half a dozen of his own companies. And over the last nine years, he has mentored thousands of entrepreneurs whose goal is to achieve their own eventual exit. He is a Certified Mergers & Acquisitions Professional, and a frequent guest expert in mastermind groups, AMAs, podcasts, and speaker events for entrepreneurs worldwide. Joe’s book, The EXITpreneur’s Playbook shares real-life stories of successful and failed exits, and teaches you how to reverse engineer a pathway to your own incredible exit. Joe has personally closed nearly 100 million in transactions and touched nearly a half-billion in online exits through the entrepreneur-led team of Advisors at Quiet Light. [00:01 - 08:50] The EXITPreneur's Make sure to check The EXITPreneur's Playbook Joe’s experience being self-employed Launching his first online business Why he decided it was time to sell his business How Joe joined Quiet Light Brokerage They closed under 215 million in total transactions in 2021 The reason why Joe came up with the idea of writing a book [08:51 - 23:17] Understanding What Brings Value The reason why he started using the term Exitpreneur Reading Joe’s book is a great entrepreneurial education It gives very concrete information and keeps the reader engaged Looking for the opportunity versus preparing your exit Why you should prepare and reverse engineer your exit Always set a goal How people can know when it is the right time to sell your business [23:18 - 41:41] The EXITPreneurs Needs to Be Very True to Themselves The key metrics people may change to maximize the potential of their exit Have a great eCommerce bookkeeper and do accrual accounting Focus on risk, growth, transferability, and documentation. At which point the seller has more leverage than the buyer to structure a deal Think about how competitive the process is The lowball offers vs the fair market value if you price the business right, the lowball offers don't come in [41:42 - 48:43] Closing Segment Joe on the four rapid-fire questions Book a strategy session, drop your questions and comments on https://letstalkexits.com Key Quotes: “If you don't think about prepare and reverse engineer your exit, and that aggregator catches you on a bad day and gives you a number that feels good, you are going to be selling for a lot less than you should be.” - Joe Valley “The right time to sell is when it's the right time for you the business owner. You might not be ready but your business is trending down and then you have to look out to the future.” - Joe Valley “You're building a great business for a great buyer to take over at a great price with a great deal structure. ” - Joe Valley Connect with Joe Website: quietlightbrokerage.com https://exitpreneur.io/joe-valley/ Joe Valley (LinkedIn) Joe Valley (Twitter) Visit Let’s Talk Exits and drop your questions and comments at https://letstalkexits.com Connect with Meny on LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/menyhoffman LEAVE A REVIEW + and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to achieve their ideal exit. Listen to previous episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts!
154
The Amazing Affects of Prioritizing Eco-Friendly Packaging with Robin Bade
The Amazing Affects of Prioritizing Eco-Friendly Packaging with Robin Bade
May 19, 2022
33:27
What’s at the top of mind in your business– perspective or profit? In this week’s episode, Robin Bade, the CEO, and Co-founder of eBrands Global, shares his journey as a digital agency owner and how he ended up selling his business to the WPP Group. He explains how he took his passion for the environment as the mission with his new company where they focus on brands that are eco-friendly. Most importantly he breaks down why building a culture of excellence is essential and provides great advice on what sellers should ask a potential buyer when they're interviewing for a potential exit. Listen and enjoy! Robin Bade is an entrepreneur and active investor with a growth mindset. He founded eBrands in 2020 buying Amazon FBA businesses worldwide and is a recognized expert in the field of Digital Marketing, E-commerce, and the Amazon marketplace. His objective is to build high-performing and quality-driven global businesses with a strong growth culture that allows him to attract and develop the best people and talent. Robin’s experience in entrepreneurship, business internationalization, and digital marketing has opened opportunities for him to act as an active Venture Partner, Angel Investor, Advisor, and Board member in several high-growth businesses. He contributes substantial value to companies set to grow through international market expansion, more effective marketing, and better leveraging digital commercial channels. [00:01 - 08:33] Build The Company That You Want to Be Working In What Robin did prior to getting into the eCommerce/aggregator space His experience starting a digital marketing agency How he learned how to build, grow and buy businesses Selling his business to WPP Make sure that you don't buy businesses that are unfriendly [08:34 - 19:52] What's Important To A Business Why the financial and environmental points of view are key Areas people should look at after taking over the brand and starting to improve The environmental eCommerce playbook We should be better operators than normally The quickest place where a seller could start improving Packaging and logistics Be environmental friendly How to make sure you have sustainable operations [19:53 - 31:24] Positioning Your Brand Post-Acquisition Where you could improve on the brand positioning or the marketing The marketing and branding aspects Great value add The major growth or expansion of the brand post-acquisition Building expansion models: Geographical expansion Bringing brands to new marketplaces Questions sellers should ask a potential buyer What Robin puts in place to build a culture of excellence in his team Communicating the values of the business [31:25 - 33:26] Closing Segment Robin on the four rapid-fire questions Book a strategy session, drop your questions and comments on https://letstalkexits.com Key Quotes: “If the business grows bigger than yourself, then you've succeeded.” - Robin Bade “ Environmental friendly is not the opposite of being profitable” - Robin Bade “We believe in doing what's right and doing as much as necessary. ” - Robin Bade Connect with Robin Website: https://www.e-brands.co/ eBrands (LinkedIn) Robin Bade(LinkedIn) Visit Let’s Talk Exits and drop your questions and comments at https://letstalkexits.com Connect with Meny on LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/menyhoffman LEAVE A REVIEW + and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to achieve their ideal exit. Listen to previous episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts!
155
Optimize Your Amazon Listing For the Best Results with Robyn Johnson
Optimize Your Amazon Listing For the Best Results with Robyn Johnson
May 26, 2022
35:36
Are you looking for an effective way to maximize and optimize your listings on Amazon? In this week’s episode, the CEO of Marketplace Blueprint, Robyn Johnson shares the meaning of successful optimization on Amazon and how you can take action when your listing goes down in ranking. She also discloses how to go about product development and what's changed in selling on Amazon in the last couple of years. Pay close attention to Robyn’s insights about the opportunities Amazon has for those who want to launch new brands. Listen and enjoy! Robyn has been heralded as one of the country's foremost leaders on the topic of selling and marketing products on Amazon.com. She has been a guest on shows like Entrepreneur on Fire, Confessions of A Marketer, and is a SEMrush Academy professor. Robyn is the co-founder of Marketplace Blueprint, a digital agency that specializes in listing optimization and advertising on Amazon. She has over a decade of experience selling online on Amazon, eBay, and other eCommerce venues. [00:01 - 08:09] Being An Accidental Entrepreneur Robyn’s experience in the Amazon Space Moving from retail arbitrage to wholesale Maximizing the potential and money vs turning around money without any profit Cash flow, advertising, and the product are key Why Amazon is still an amazing opportunity What Amazon really wants is a better customer experience [08:10 - 18:14] Product Development and Listing Optimization How sellers were approaching product development 36 months ago What the focus for sellers should be now How your product is going to solve a need or fix a problem How your product is going to make the customer’s life better What makes a great optimized listing Really understand your customer Motivate your customer Check out Donald Miller’s book How to make sure you are speaking to the audience and the algorithm [18:15 - 31:13] The Lifetime Value of Your Customers What sellers can do if they have great products, but they’re losing rank Look at what has changed in the competitive landscape Get conversions on keywords that are highly relevant Where the ad spend should go Start with sponsored products Allocate 10% of your budget to testing new keywords, targeting types, and ad products The categories where there are more needs for new brands Robyn’s outlook on launching products outside of Amazon Other marketplaces don't get the same traffic as Amazon does [31:14 - 35:35] Closing Segment Robyn on the four rapid-fire questions Book a strategy session, drop your questions and comments on https://letstalkexits.com Key Quotes: “Make sure you're really clear on what it is that's really going to motivate your customer. - Robyn Johnson “Not the same strategy works for everybody.” - Robyn Johnson Connect with Robyn Website: https://marketplaceblueprint.com/ Marketplace Blueprint (Facebook) Robyn Johnson(LinkedIn) Visit Let’s Talk Exits and drop your questions and comments at https://letstalkexits.com Connect with Meny on LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/menyhoffman LEAVE A REVIEW + and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to achieve their ideal exit. Listen to previous episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts!
156
Building a Standout Brand in the Saturated e-Commerce Space with Alex Kopco
Building a Standout Brand in the Saturated e-Commerce Space with Alex Kopco
Mar 17, 2022
41:17
With the many online stores out there in the Amazon space, is it possible to be that A+ brand? Having the right technology and partnerships are significant factors, but our guest adds in another element - passion. For today’s interview, we have our guest, Alex Kopco, the co-founder and COO of Forum Brands. He explains that the way to unlock a brand’s full potential is by going back to the “why” and that everything comes back to the belief in the brand itself. Although it is a common goal to earn money when getting into the e-commerce space, the results and growth won’t be exponential without passion - and it shows with the way we do our business. Listen and enjoy! Alex Kopco is the co-founder and COO of Forum Brands. Alex’s entrepreneurial spirit and passion for cultivating an amazing customer experience began in his childhood leading tours of his hometown in South Dakota. He has since worked throughout his entire professional career in retail and e-Commerce, working at both Target and Amazon. His expertise spans retail buying, supply chain management, cost & inventory planning, negotiations, pricing, promotion planning, and retail P&L management. Alex is on a mission to empower e-Commerce business owners by providing them with opportunities to help their brands reach infinite growth with technology and strategic brand management. [00:01 - 09:26] Keeping the Customer’s Perspective at the Forefront Alex Kopco on falling into the path of retail Watching Amazon grow from a sleeping giant into world domination Learning the inner works and working dynamics by working directly in Amazon Building an iconic brand that resonates with customers Consider how the customer interacts with products and brands. Starting Forum Brands Conveying a sense of togetherness from varying walks of life [09:27 - 22:39] The Significance of Passion When Building an A+ Brand How do you juggle a day as a COO? Blending roles and allowing autonomy and trust in the team Starting with the “why” to unlock the full potential Our passion shines through the way we handle the business. What are your thoughts on the selection of categories? Why you should stay away from consumables and potentially hazardous materials Focusing product innovation on what consumers already love How much focus are you putting on technology? Operating the business more efficiently Comes back to belief in the brand itself The key is to strive to be that A+ brand. [22:40 - 39:10] Realizing the Value of Starting Your Amazon Journey Alex Kopco’s outlook on e-commerce Becoming into convenience and a facet of people’s everyday lives Physical stores may not necessarily disappear. Is there still room for sellers to initiate a journey in Amazon? Suppliers on recognizing building the business without middlemen Standing out in the sea of sameness Where should be the focus in order to maximize the value of the business? Becoming as seller-friendly as possible Boils down to trust and recognizing red flags Establish transparency for confidence. [39:11 - 41:17] Closing Segment Alex on the four rapid-fire questions Book a strategy session, drop your questions and comments on https://letstalkexits.com Connect with us! (links below) Key Quotes: “You may achieve an outcome that you feel comfortable with, but the opportunity to create lasting value is I believe, always going to be kind of short-shrifted if you aren't passionate about what it is that you're doing.” - Alex Kopco “If you don't believe in what you're selling, customers are going to know that and they're not going to believe in you either.” - Alex Kopco “Challenge drives innovation.” - Alex Kopco Connect with Alex https://forumbrands.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexkopco/ @akopco (Instagram) @alexkopco (Twitter) Visit Let’s Talk Exits and drop your questions and comments https://letstalkexits.com Connect with Meny on LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/menyhoffman LEAVE A REVIEW + and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to achieve their ideal exit. Listen to previous episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts!
157
How to Bring Brands to the Global Level with Malte Karstan
How to Bring Brands to the Global Level with Malte Karstan
Jun 9, 2022
55:11
Would you like to discover how to build, buy and scale consumer brands globally? In this week’s episode, our guest, Malte Karstan gives a closer look at the background of BBG (Berlin Brands Group), and how they were able to maximize the potential outset of the Amazon platform on their own websites, and other marketplaces in Europe and internationally. He also touches on what happens post-acquisition with the brands they buy, and who is responsible to see the growth of those brands long-term. Listen and enjoy! After his first sales experience on eBay in 1998, Malte became quickly fascinated by the market-places Amazon and Alando. On the direct path to becoming an eBay platinum power seller, his business grew rapidly nationally, but internationalization and expansion were particularly appealing to him. Represented on platforms and marketplaces in over 60 countries, his products reached customers in 170 countries around the world. In 2018 he sold his companies and since then is part of BBG. [00:01 - 10:39] Always Give and Take How Malte got connected to eCommerce His experience with the music industry Working with big companies based in Japan and New York Engaging with the BBG Malte’s outlook on doing eCommerce is a new way Why he decided to add already established brands [10:40 - 29:53] Building Your Own Brands What you need to envision brands and scale them How BBG has become one of the biggest players in the marketplaces The common theme across the different brands that were the early adopters of BBG Democratizing the market and finding creative alternatives Creating things that are affordable for a wide range of people Quality should reflect a higher level than expected What sets BBG apart in the marketplace [29:54 - 50:37] Let’s Optimize! Malte’s insights about where eCommerce is going What foresight BBG has for a brand post-purchase Do the roll out into the new territories where the brand is not existing The logistics side of product management International rollout Why the role of brand managers is key for your brand How Malte feels to be part of the process of making millionaires You have to look for a win-win situation [50:38 - 55:10] Closing Segment Malte on the four rapid-fire questions Book a strategy session, drop your questions and comments on https://letstalkexits.com Key Quotes: “It's all about trust, and it's all about expecting things reading things and science earlier.” - Malte Karstan “There are some problems on the road all the time, and you cannot l avoid everything and always shine bright. It's not possible. But if they're substantially something, then you will succeed long tail. ” - Malte Karstan Connect with Malte Website: https://www.berlin-brands-group.com/en BBG (LinkedIn) Malte Karstan (LinkedIn) Visit Let’s Talk Exits and drop your questions and comments at https://letstalkexits.com Connect with Meny on LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/menyhoffman LEAVE A REVIEW + and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to achieve their ideal exit. Listen to previous episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts!
158
Elevating Your eCommerce Game with Andrew Morgans
Elevating Your eCommerce Game with Andrew Morgans
Jun 16, 2022
52:25
Do you want to launch products with remarkable results on all eCommerce platforms? In this episode, Andrew Morgans, a thought leader in the Amazon Branding space delves into his passion for branding done right for Amazon sellers. He also touches on what are the micro-steps you could do to enhance your branding if you're an Amazon seller. Andrew breaks down relevant tips of what you should consider when doing a listing and what it can do for your conversation rates. Tune in and learn the importance of branding and the micro and macro steps of a proper branding strategy. Listen and enjoy! Andrew is a resident mentor at UMKC's Regnier Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, and guest lectures at the Henry W. Bloch School of Management. Andrew found early success as an internal corporate e-commerce manager. In less than a year he launched and scaled corporate brands new to Amazon topping over $1 million in new sales, and repeated this more than once with several different businesses. With this success, he launched both the Landlocked Co Apparel brand and Marknology™, an Amazon Brand Accelerator. Marknology™ has worked with over 200 global brands and sales of over $200 million. [00:01 - 09:10] Thinking Like the Brand Andrew’s background and work His 11 years of experience in the Amazon space Being an eCommerce manager Discovering the internal challenges that brands are having Where the Marknology™ name comes from Branding and Marketing on the eCommerce channels [09:11 - 29:56] Knowing the Rules to Play the Game the Best Way How Andrew describes the opportunity of eCommerce What branding really means It evokes emotion and specifically gets customers to trust the company Andrew’s outlook on good branding vs bad branding on Amazon The difference between demand generation vs demand capture Know your skills as a marketer Check who's the person working on the project to see if it’s a fit [29:57 - 48:14] You Can't Brand Yourself Overnight What makes an FBA seller different from an agency You have to play a long game to build a brand that people know and trust The only thing that can really create a brand is consistency over time I want my reputation to remain intact Andrew’s advice on how to reevaluate where people are with branding Look at your competition, products, and listings How to build a strong culture within your company [48:15 - 52:22] Closing Segment Andrew on the four rapid-fire questions Book a strategy session, drop your questions and comments on https://letstalkexits.com Key Quotes: “I want to sell by creating something that will last a long time and that has a good reputation.” - Andrew Morgans “I think anyone building a business where people rely on that business, being short-sighted could be the difference in making it or not.” - Andrew Morgans Connect with Andrew Website: https://www.marknology.com/ Marknology(LinkedIn) Andre Morgans(LinkedIn, Instagram) Visit Let’s Talk Exits and drop your questions and comments at https://letstalkexits.com Connect with Meny on LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/menyhoffman LEAVE A REVIEW + and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to achieve their ideal exit. Listen to previous episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts!
159
How the Best Are Winning on Amazon with Troy Johnston
How the Best Are Winning on Amazon with Troy Johnston
Jun 23, 2022
49:06
Are you taking advantage of the most innovative resources available to Amazon sellers? In this episode, the co-founder of Seller.Tools, talks about his first exit and how he came up with the idea of creating seller.tools. He also touches on how you can find a strategic buyer and what other sellers look at when they're looking to exit. Troy delves into the whole concept of tools for Amazon sellers, how to use them, how to not use them, and what to look out for when you see tools. Pay close attention to Troy's answer about the number one mistake sellers do when they're looking at tools for Amazon. Listen and enjoy! Troy Johnston is the Co-Founder of Seller.Tools and M&A Advisor at Carbon6. He brings a wealth of on-channel Amazon and e-commerce knowledge as a 7-figure Amazon earner with 2 successful exits. Today Troy focuses on leading strategic M&A in the Amazon SaaS space with the disruptive SaaS aggregator Carbon6. [00:01 - 07:43] Amazon and E-Commerce Brand Builders • Troy's experience being the co-founder of seller.tools and M&A Advisor at Carbon6 How he brings a wealth of Amazon and e-commerce knowledge as a seven-figure Amazon seller His exit and how he found his strategic buyer Why a seller's exit strategy shines through in strategic buyer search • Why it is a good time to go to market and entertain the acquisition of a brand [07:44 - 25:41] The Software Is An Investment Sellers Should Be Willing to Make • SAS tools help Amazon sellers stay ahead of the competition SAS has been constantly evolving to address the challenges of sellers in the Amazon ecosystem API integration is key for SAS because it allows sellers to access Amazon's vast data set • What makes it difficult for tools to provide reliable insights There is a lot of uncertainty and volatility when it comes to Amazon data • Software becomes obsolete quickly in the Amazon ecosystem, so SAS should be careful when adding new features or automation [25:42 - 43:39] How to Automate Your Amazon Seller Tools to Maximize Results • The reason why sellers should use automation It keeps key areas of their business running smoothly, while also focusing on ranking in Amazon reviews Automations can help sellers take care of important data points without having to spend time manually checking them • The challenge for brands is that Amazon is releasing so much first-party data that it can be difficult to make informed decisions with it. • Sellers should focus on fewer reports and take action on the most important ones [43:40 - 49:05] Closing Segment • Troy on the four rapid-fire questions • Book a strategy session, drop your questions and comments on https://letstalkexits.com Want to connect with Troy Website: https://seller.tools/ https://www.carbon6.io/ Troy Johnston (LinkedIn, Facebook) Key Quotes: "If you can add in those automations and add some predictability to your business, that is an investment you should be willing to make." - Troy Johnston "If I can quantify what type of costs, human error, human delays, any of those elements that I can mitigate through software, I'll take that software investment any day of the week." - Troy Johnston Visit Let’s Talk Exits and drop your questions and comments https://letstalkexits.com Connect with Meny on LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/menyhoffman LEAVE A REVIEW + and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to achieve their ideal exit. Listen to previous episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts
160
How to Build and Sell Your eCommerce Business with Ben Leonard
How to Build and Sell Your eCommerce Business with Ben Leonard
Jun 30, 2022
37:15
Do you know what it takes to succeed in eCommerce, get unstuck, take control, and scale up? In this week's episode, Ben Leonard, the Ecom Broker's brand ambassador, discusses the grind and the hustle that he had with building his first brand and why he decided to sell it. He also shares what he learned from that process to build his new brand. Pay close attention to the suggestions he has for sellers to make sure they're maximizing the potential of their business. Listen and enjoy! Best known as the founder of Beast Gear, Ben Leonard is the classic millennial entrepreneur. He built a business on a laptop, in a cupboard, in his spare time. The difference? Ben grew an international 7-figure business and successfully exited after 3 years; the business holy grail. Ben is Ecom Broker’s brand ambassador and digital marketer. He is busy building the network, creating relationships, and banging the drum! In addition to Ecom Brokers, Ben is busy building brands and helping others follow in his footsteps with his consultancy, courses, and mentorship program. Key Highlights: [00:01 - 06:53] How an Ecologist Built an E-Commerce Empire •Ben shares his background and work Ben's journey into eCommerce and how he built his first brand Building a fitness brand and transitioning to selling on Amazon • How to maximize the value of their businesses and achieve an optimal exit [06:54 - 20:01] Selling an E-commerce Business: A Step-by-Step Guide •Why selling the business was the right decision for Ben and his family •The challenges of starting and selling an eCommerce business Cash flow management and product quality • Why working with an intermediary makes a difference Growing the business by applying skills such as relationship building and product quality. • How Ben became passionate about eCommerce and decided to build a legitimate brand [20:02 - 33:45] How to Sell Your E-Commerce Business When the Markets Are Maturing • The high barrier to entry for starting an eCommerce business is becoming increasingly important • One way to protect your brand and increase its value Have intellectual property rights in place • What sellers should look at to decide whether or not to sell Understand the data and its current value • The importance of focusing on mitigating risk for buyers when selling Buyers want to buy a business with a low-risk profile [33:46 - 37:13] Closing Segment • Why selling on selling on Amazon and eCommerce is important • Ben on the four rapid-fire questions • Book a strategy session, drop your questions and comments on https://letstalkexits.com Want to connect with Ben? You can follow him on LinkedIn.Head to Ben Leonard, and smash your eCommerce goals! Visit Ecom Brokers, and sell your business for the best possible price. Key Quotes: "If you don't get product quality right, it ain't gonna fly." - Ben Leonard "One of the main things that I apply to, anything I do in business is relationship building and win-wins." - Ben Leonard "If I'm not an expert at something I'm gonna work with someone who is." - Ben Leonard Visit Let’s Talk Exits and drop your questions and comments https://letstalkexits.com Connect with Meny on LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/menyhoffman LEAVE A REVIEW + and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to achieve their ideal exit. Listen to previous episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts
161
The Fast Track to Becoming a Top Seller on Amazon with Scott Needham
The Fast Track to Becoming a Top Seller on Amazon with Scott Needham
Jul 8, 2022
33:31
Still trying to figure out the best tool to understand the marketplace and find out opportunities for wholesale and private level? In this episode, the founder and Ceo of SmartScout, Scott Needham shares his outlook on the importance of branding and creating a larger presence for your products within the Amazon ecosystem. He delves into the SmartScout tool, and why he decided to build the software the way he built it. Scott also breaks down why the way the information is laid on SmartScout is the right way to look at how to expand your brand in the long-term and short term. If you love technology and data, this episode is for you. Listen and enjoy! Scott is the Founder of SmartScout and BuyBoxer. He is the host of the Smartest Amazon Seller Podcast and an Amazon seller for 10 years who has scaled wholesale and private labels. Scott has accumulated a deep knowledge about selling products online, and his company BuyBoxer has done over $300m in sales. Key Highlights: [00:01 - 08:16] The Importance of Branding and Building a Large E-Commerce Business • Scott's experience building and selling Amazon brands The founder and CEO of SmartScout His experience as a wholesale and private label Amazon seller • What SmartScout does and how it works A software tool designed to help Amazon sellers identify and analyze potential brands for sale • Why it is important to brand and build a larger brand for Amazon sellers [08:17 - 16:05] The Most Useful Tool for Amazon Sellers • How the tools in the SmartScout suite can be used to research products and brands Optimizing products for FBA • The main benefits sellers can have by using SmartScout tools It can help you stay within your zone and focus on what is important It helps you to do a deep dive on your competitors Understand how your competitors built their business and find areas where you can improve [16:06 - 24:10] How to Successfully Sell on Amazon • It is important for sellers to be using tools regularly • What you should do if you're the sole entrepreneur behind your product Check Amazon fees and see if there is anything you can do to improve sales • Sellers should always be keeping an eye on their data Amazon has started introducing new reports such as search term query analytics [24:11 - 32:02] The Tool That Can Change Your Life • Scott shares his insights about Walmart • Why diversification may not be the best use of time Seller's focus should be on channels with high ROI and OT returns • One of the strategies sellers have used to succeed with Walmart • SmartScout can be used to identify trends in a channel and find opportunities to sell to customers [32:03 - 33:30] Closing Segment • Scott's Tips for Becoming an Amazon and E-Commerce Expert • Scott on the four rapid-fire questions • Book a strategy session, drop your questions and comments on https://letstalkexits.com Connect with Scott: @smartestseller (Instagram) @itsScottNeedham (Twitter) Website: https://www.smartscout.com/ Key Quotes: "Implementing technology should be a concerted effort on its own." - Scott Needham "The more Amazon gives out the more, we can build tools and actually have an improved accuracy." - Scott Needham Visit Let’s Talk Exits and drop your questions and comments at https://letstalkexits.com Connect with Meny on LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/menyhoffman LEAVE A REVIEW + and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to achieve their ideal exit. Listen to previous episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts
162
How to Expand Your FBA Business Internationally with Rael Lowenthal
How to Expand Your FBA Business Internationally with Rael Lowenthal
Jul 14, 2022
37:41
Are you seeking to expand your Amazon business into global markets? In this episode, Rael Lowenthal, the Director of Business Development at Zee, delves into marketplace expansion to other countries, and how Zee makes it easy for actual sellers to expand their eCommerce business to have a great return on investment and return on time. He also breaks down how to do proper research and understand if your product is successful in the existing marketplace and if there is a demand on other ones. Rael discloses where Amazon is going and why it's important for sellers to focus on expansion if they want to maximize the value of their business. Listen and enjoy! Rael Lowenthal is a Chartered Accountant and former investment banker. He is the Director of Business Development at Zee, mainly responsible for new client acquisitions and existing client relationship management. Aside from assisting e-commerce businesses to expand their global reach, he is passionate about African wildlife conservation, financial systems powered by blockchain technology, and reading. Zee offers a complete door-to-door import solution into Amazon warehouses, including IOR, logistics, and compliance. Use Zee to outsource the hard grind of getting your goods into new countries. Key Highlights: [00:01 - 07:29] Solutions for Amazon Sellers Seeking to Expand Globally • Rael shares his experience with eCommerce and how he ended up on Zee Zee makes it easy for sellers to expand their businesses globally His passion for African wildlife financial systems • Why sellers should think about expanding their businesses into other countries [07:30 - 21:16] Importing your Amazon Products into New Markets • Zee's core services Product compliance services An importer of record service Logistic solution • How Zee facilitates the imports Having offices in all of the major eCommerce marketplaces • Why sellers should start with minimum quantity in multiple markets • Simplify the importing process for our clients [21:17 - 34:34] How to Maximize Your Margins on Amazon • Why Rael recommends sellers to use SmartScout • You need to do product research and understand the demand for a specific product before choosing a marketplace • Why sellers should sell globally • The benefits of selling internationally for sellers Increasing sales and diversifying risk Transferring reviews and rankings to other markets [34:35 - 37:40] Closing Segment • Zee's offer for the Let's Exits Podcast listeners • Rael on the four rapid-fire questions Connect with Rael: Zee IOR eCommerce(LinkedIn) @zeeior(Instagram) @IORZee (Facebook) Website: https://zee.co/?utm ref=OK9Y4GIZ821I5 Key Quotes: "The offering that we bring to the market is to enable the global expansion of any eCommerce business." - Rael Lowenthal "If you have the right partner who knows what those hurdles are and how to get around them, it can save you a lot of time." - Rael Lowenthal Visit Let’s Talk Exits and drop your questions and comments https://letstalkexits.com Connect with Meny on LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/menyhoffman LEAVE A REVIEW + and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to achieve their ideal exit. Listen to previous episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts
163
What makes Amazon Ad Strategies Profitable with Brent Zahradnik
What makes Amazon Ad Strategies Profitable with Brent Zahradnik
Jul 21, 2022
51:37
Do you know how to effectively and profitably advertise on Amazon marketplaces? In this week's episode, Brent Zahradnik delves into PPC strategies and what is the status of PPC in 2022. He breaks down the difference between how to look at new product launches versus ongoing maintaining products with PPC, and remarks on the importance of storefronts and brand build-out across the whole marketplace. Pay close attention to Brent's answer about the opportunity for people who want to start their journey in selling on Amazon. Listen and enjoy! Brent Zahradnik is the founder of AMZ Pathfinder. He started the company in the summer of 2015 and since then has worked with 100s of brands on the Amazon marketplace. Pathfinder manages millions of dollars in ad spend per month and is composed of nearly 30 advertising experts who speak 11 languages between them and work with the North American and European marketplaces. Brent lives in Southern France with his girlfriend, their cat, and entirely too many bicycles. Key Highlights: [00:01 - 07:08] The End of the Amazon Advertising Golden Era • How Brent ended up in the eCommerce ecosystem His experience with Google Ads Growing an agency and working primarily with the American and European markets • Brent discloses the state of PPC in 2022 The golden era of Amazon advertising is officially over [07:09 - 27:49] How Much Should You Be Spending? • The reason why Amazon advertising is no longer as effective as it once was The average cost per click is high and profit margins are low • If a business is doing well organically, it should be focusing less on PPC and more on other acquisition channels • You need to keep up with new tricks and techniques to stay ahead of the competition Make sure you have enough inventory for a successful launch • How to increase your Amazon seller's share of voice [27:50 - 47:34] Amazon Advertising: What to Expect • How to budget for a launch and determine what keywords to target • Why social media platforms like TikTok and Pinterest have a great implication for Amazon sellers • Brent shares how the company helps Amazon-related keywords rank in the Amazon ecosystem while making a little bit of money Sending customers to Amazon storefronts rather than Google product detail pages • How to create a culture that contributes across team members Have core values that everyone understands and infuse them into everyday operations Team meetings to keep everyone aligned and motivated [47:35 - 51:36] Closing Segment • Brent on the four rapid-fire questions Connect with Brent: Brent.Bike (Website) Key Quotes: "Advertising has matured on Amazon. It's not the golden era anymore, and essentially you need to have other complimentary services to make the impact of advertising greater than what it is." - Brent Zahradnik "Culture is what happens when the chips are down." - Brent Zahradnik Visit Let’s Talk Exits and drop your questions and comments https://letstalkexits.com Connect with Meny on LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/menyhoffman LEAVE A REVIEW + and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to achieve their ideal exit. Listen to previous episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts
164
Empowering the Growth of eCommerce Sellers with Erik Davidek
Empowering the Growth of eCommerce Sellers with Erik Davidek
Jul 28, 2022
48:52
Are you ready to change the way you scale and grow your eCommerce business? In this episode, Erik Davidek touches on the importance of building a proper brand and the different brands he saw while being at Heyday. He breaks down what stood out as a great brand from the others and why it is crucial to support brands with cash flow opportunities to help them grow, buy inventory, and expand new products in different marketplaces. Listen and enjoy! Erik heads aggregator partnerships for SellersFunding, an eCommerce lending platform. His role focuses on creating non-dilutive working capital solutions and referral and marketing partnerships. Before joining SellersFunding, Erik was the 16th employee at Heyday, a top-5 funded aggregator. He sourced M&A opportunities and worked directly with hundreds of entrepreneurs to prepare their brands for acquisition. Prior to this, Erik's career followed non-traditional paths. He was an Editor at the world's largest automotive magazine, taught high school social studies, was a marketing consultant in Europe, and spent a decade leading sales teams for manufacturing, commodities, and SaaS companies. Erik works remotely from beautiful Northern Michigan. Key Highlights: [00:01 - 08:05] The Importance of Building a Proper Brand •The key to building a successful Amazon or e-commerce brand Focus on creating a strong brand and developing unique products that appeal to consumers • Why building a proper brand is crucial, and how it can be key to achieving an optimal exit • The importance of having access to funding to help businesses grow and expand [08:06 - 23:42] The e-Commerce Space • How to survive the next round of eCommerce growth • Erik's key drivers for businesses in the e-commerce space Focus on finance, cost control, and operational excellence • Why the money coming is no longer sustainable and has caused many aggregators to pull back or go out of business • Specialization and building a real brand are becoming more important in the Amazon eCommerce aggregated space The aggregated space is growing, with more operators and smaller buyers entering the market [23:43- 46:16] How to Focus on Brand Performance • How sellers can get insights into their businesses through seller signals Get an outlook on what's working and what's not in the market, and how to improve their business. • Erik introduces Seller Funding and what it does It offers several solutions to help sellers grow their businesses Revenue advances, daily advances, digital wallets, and aggregator pausing • The market is slowing down, but there are still opportunities for sellers to make money [46:17 - 48:51] Wrapping Up! • Erik on the four rapid questions Connect with Erik: Erik Davidek (LinkedIn) SellersFunding (Website) Key Quotes: "Don't think you have to have every product ready to go, but what's that next little step that I can take that gives me a little more security, a little more defense ability around what I'm doing." - Erik Davidek "Niches build bridges." -Erik Davidek Visit Let’s Talk Exits and drop your questions and comments at https://letstalkexits.com Connect with Meny on LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/menyhoffman LEAVE A REVIEW + and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to achieve their ideal exit. Listen to previous episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts
165
Overcoming Bad Habits to Become a Wildly Successful Salesperson: Talking with Warren Greshes
Overcoming Bad Habits to Become a Wildly Successful Salesperson: Talking with Warren Greshes
Nov 7, 2022
51:11
It’s time for you to be really honest with yourself: are you afraid of hearing “no” when you try to sell - and is that fear preventing you from becoming a great salesperson? In this episode, our guest is Warren Greshes, an expert in the areas of sales, personal and professional development, leadership development, and employee motivation. He has addressed corporate and association audiences all over the world, and Bridgestone/Firestone, Hewlett Packard, Monsanto, and Coca-Cola are among his many corporate clients. He has also spoken in front of some of the world's largest and most prestigious organizations, including The Million Dollar Round Table, The National Association of Realtors, and Sales and Marketing Executives International. In our conversation, Warren reveals how to be a successful salesperson, and how most people are not good at sales because they are afraid of rejection. He breaks down why activity goals are more important than sales goals and why you should never walk out of an appointment without a conclusion. Warren encourages you to stop thinking about the sale itself and instead focus on the client's needs and how your product or service will benefit them. Listen and enjoy! Key Highlights: [00:01 - 07:39] Opening Segment • Warren shares his background and work A world-renowned expert on sales, leadership development, and employee motivation • How to become a great salesperson Stop being afraid, start believing in your product or service [07:40 - 28:22] What You Need to Be a Successful Salesperson • Most people are not good at sales simply because they're afraid someone's going to say no The key to being successful in sales is to have a positive mindset and believe in your product • It's important to remember that you're not just selling paper goods - you're selling service as well • Salespeople need to be motivated to keep up the activity necessary to reach their sales goals How and why dialing the phone is one way to generate activity [28:23 - 42:23] Salespeople Must Be Aware of the Changes in Social Media • Make sure to have goals, write them down, and set realistic goals • Salespeople have to be aware of how technology has changed Social media is not selling; it is marketing • The main goal of social media should be to get your company's name and product out there Build name recognition and marketing for your company • Sales should be approached in a way that shows respect for the customer by providing quality and value [42:24 - 51:10] Closing Segment • Understand your unique selling point and what sets you apart from other salespeople • Warren on the rapid-fire questions • Q&A: What type of salesperson should I be looking to hire? Want to connect with Warren? Follow him on LinkedIn and YouTube. Key Quotes: "Most people are not good at sales simply because they're afraid someone's going to say no." - Warren Greshes "The only way you can define how much money you need is to tell me how you want your life to look." - Warren Greshes "A goal becomes realistic if you are willing to do what it takes to achieve it." - Warren Greshes Connect with Ptex Group: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn LEAVE A REVIEW + and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to achieve in business. Listen to previous episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts!
166
An Exciting Announcement with Scott Kahn
An Exciting Announcement with Scott Kahn
Jul 25, 2022
16:20
Are you ready to listen to the amazing changes that are coming up in the show? Since its inception, the Let's Talk Business podcast has been dedicated to helping entrepreneurs and business owners thrive. We believe that information is key, but we also believe that it's important to help business owners to start to take action. That's why we've introduced a new format and a new producer to the show, and we look forward to continuing to provide practical advice and help entrepreneurs and business owners grow their businesses. Let's welcome Rabbi Scott Kahn, formerly the dean of Yeshivat Yesodei HaTorah in Beit Shemesh, Israel, and the founder of Jewish Coffee House, a podcast network featuring podcasts that deal with issues in the Orthodox world. He is also the executive producer of JCH Productions, a podcast production company that partners with companies, organizations, and individuals who see podcasting as a critical vehicle to get their message to a wider audience. He is the host of several podcasts as well, including Orthodox Conundrum, Intimate Judaism, and the Baseball Rabbi. He lives in Ramat Beit Shemesh with his wife Aliza and their seven children. Key Highlights: [00:01 - 05:52] Opening Segment • Meeting Scott Kahn and his role at the Let's Talk Business Podcast • An overview of what changes are coming to the show • The reason why Meny to grow and improve the podcast Keep providing quality advice to its listeners [05:52 - 12:54] An Exciting Announcement! • What the upcoming episodes will have A better quality guests and questions A segment where listeners can submit questions Practical advice for business owners • Why Let's Business Podcast is different from other shows • When you can expect new episodes [12:55 - 16:18] Closing Segment • Subscribe to the show and get notified when new episodes are published Key Quotes: "My personal mission in life is I believe every person should be given the opportunity to succeed in life." Meny Hoffman "Great relationships start with a great conversation." - Meny Hoffman We’re a passionate bunch. Together, we help your business flourish. Visit: https://ptexgroup.com Let’s Talk Business! Check out my new podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lets-talk-business/id1469289551 Connect with Ptex Group: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn LEAVE A REVIEW + and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to achieve in business. Listen to previous episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts!
167
Becoming an Impact-Driven Business Leader with Zack Estes
Becoming an Impact-Driven Business Leader with Zack Estes
Aug 22, 2022
42:18
Are you a leader that sacrifices health for the sake of growth? In this episode, our guest is Zach Estes, a Manufacturing Engineer by trade; who has experience in manufacturing operations, hospital operations, and media operations, and now leading Path for Growth as Chief Operating Officer alongside Alex Judd. He's passionate about healthy growth and applying operational principles in life and business. In our conversation, Zach digs into some lessons he learned from his time as a manufacturing engineer that has helped him to be an effective operator in today's business landscape. He stresses the importance of visibility in business and how manufacturing principles can be applied to any type of business. Zach breaks down the principles that he uses to run an efficient, effective, and enjoyable business and what has led him to achieve healthy growth. Listen and enjoy! Key Highlights: [00:01 - 06:58] Opening Segment • Zach shares his journey as a manufacturing engineer How he ended up being the COO of Path for Growth Helping leaders grow their businesses without losing themselves in the process • Make work visible for better communication and understanding between team members and customers [06:59 - 19:58] Path of Healthy Growth for Businesses • Zach discloses the four steps to Path for Growth Standardization, documentation, evaluation, and improvement • How Path for Growth help businesses achieve success • Why individual growth is a key element Not sacrificing one's personal life to achieve success in one's business. • There must be intentionality and energy put into pursuing healthy growth to maintain a flourishing business [19:59 - 32:11] The Importance of Downtime • The key to a successful company is having a clear mission, focus, and passion Leaders need to communicate these values to their team for them to be attentive and motivated • Why downtime is expensive, and leaders need to be aware of this to manage it effectively Planned downtime vs unplanned downtime • Taking care of yourself physically, mentally, and spiritually is important for long-term success [32:12 - 35:52] Closing Segment • Learn more about Zach with the Rapid Fire Questions! • Q&A: Should you share your financials with your team? Connect with Zack on LinkedIn. Head to Path of Growth, and find out how to practice healthy growth! Key Quotes: "If you know how you create and deliver value for your customer, then you'll know how you don't do that to you." - Zack Estes "If you know where you're going, or if you know what your responsibilities are, then it's a lot easier to determine what it is you should be spending your time on." - Zack Estes We’re a passionate bunch. Together, we help your business flourish. Visit: https://ptexgroup.com Let’s Talk Business! Check out my new podcast on Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lets-talk-business/id1469289551 Connect with Ptex Group: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn LEAVE A REVIEW + and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to achieve in business. Listen to previous episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts!
168
Transforming Your Weakness Into a Superpower: A Conversation with Isaac Bardos
Transforming Your Weakness Into a Superpower: A Conversation with Isaac Bardos
Aug 29, 2022
52:53
Are you ready to do the work that it takes to have a breakthrough in your business? In this episode, our guest is Isaac Bardos, the kid who everyone thought would never be successful at anything. But Isaac used that rejection to develop into a college athlete, a well-regarded public speaker, the founder of numerous successful companies, and a business coach who can diagnose a business’ core problem in minutes. Join Meny as he and Isaac talk about effective leadership, what it means to have a calling, how to spot the patterns that can tell you what’s really happening in your business, make better decisions, and much more. Listen and enjoy! Key Highlights: [00:01 - 13:04] Opening Segment • How understanding your weaknesses can make you a better leader • How Isaac became a successful public speaker and business coach • Isaac's story of overcoming obstacles to achieve success Being doubted by family and friends, and starting his own businesses Providing more value to his clients by helping them achieve their goals [13:05 - 28:52] What You Need to Be a Succesful Leader • How an upbringing can either be seen as victimization or as fuel for someone's future • It is a learnable skill to be a leader, but most people are not naturally born leaders Moses's story • Leadership is about looking at where someone wants to go and what is needed to get there • Leaders need to be connected to their employees to lead them effectively [28:53 - 44:24] How to Navigate the Business World When the Recession Hits • When it comes to scaling a business, you need to take a "really serious look" at scalability • Why patterns are essential for your business Patterns can help protect businesses and help you stay ahead of the curve • What business leaders should focus on Focus on what's going to help your businesses grow [44:25 - 52:52] Closing Segment • Isaac on the four rapid questions • Q&A: How to budget for marketing your business? Connect with Isaac on LinkedIn, Instagram & Facebook. Key Quotes: "The must is where we really see things come out and we learn things about ourselves that become potentially huge assets for the business." - Isaac Bardos "If you're disconnected from the people who are doing the work that needs to get done, then you're not leading." - Isaac Bardos Let’s Talk Exits! Check out my new podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lets-talk-exits/id1606747718 Connect with Ptex Group: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn LEAVE A REVIEW + and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to achieve in business. Listen to previous episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts!
169
Operation Pineapple Express: Saving the Heroes of Afghanistan from the Taliban
Operation Pineapple Express: Saving the Heroes of Afghanistan from the Taliban
Sep 5, 2022
40:48
Creating deep human connections and building a high-trust culture is crucial to truly thrive as a leader. In this episode, our guest is Scott Mann; he spent 23 years in the United States Army, 18 of them as a Green Beret, where he specialized in unconventional, high-impact missions in places like Afghanistan, Iraq, and Colombia. He is a storyteller and the founder of Rooftop Leadership, where he helps leaders make better human connections in high-stakes, low-trust environments. He also empowers people - both in warfare and in business - to stand up for themselves and develop a strong voice. He is the author of Operation Pineapple Express: The Incredible Story of a Group of Americans Who Undertook One Last Mission and Honored a Promise in Afghanistan. In our conversation, Scott shares some of his experiences from his time in Afghanistan and how he was able to use his relationships to help save people and build deep relationships with them. He digs into the importance of leadership, social capital, and accountability and how polarization can be dangerous and counterproductive. Scott remarks on why relationships are essential for building successful organizations. Listen and enjoy! Key Highlights: [00:01 - 07:32] Opening Segment • Leadership lessons learned from a war zone • How to build relationships of trust with the local population to rescue people in high-risk situations • Check out his book Operation Pineapple Express A story of this rescue mission and the inspirational lessons that can be learned from it [07:33 - 22:15] The Problems with the US Withdrawal from Afghanistan • The problems with the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan No public hearings on what happened and no accountability • Look at the situations that as a leader you face and ask yourself what's your pineapple express • Afghan special operations forces and the veteran volunteers who stood on their shoulders and honored a promise • Why it's key to focus on local solutions, such as helping tribal leaders stand up to terrorists and training select special operations units [22:16 - 36:36] If America Abandoned Its Allies, What Would Happen? • What has led to increased conflict and instability in Afghanistan A political decision made without input from military leaders • Why the division between left and right in America is a major obstacle to effective policymaking on issues like Afghanistan • The importance of opening public hearings by Congress to allow for a more informed discussion of policy options for Afghanistan There is still potential for the United States to support its allies, but it needs to do so in a more transparent and effective way [36:37 - 40:16] Closing Segment • How to make decisions as a leader • Q&A: What will help you with your decision-making process? Want to connect with Scott? Follow him on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Head to Roof Top Leadership, and discover how to create deep human connection! Key Quotes: "It is our social connection ability that really enables us to thrive." - Scott Mann "The time to build social capital is when nobody is looking " - Scott Mann Let’s Talk Exits! Check out my new podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lets-talk-exits/id1606747718 Connect with Ptex Group: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn LEAVE A REVIEW + and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to achieve in business. Listen to previous episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts!
170
Communicating with Confidence & Increasing Your Value with Laurie-Ann Murabito
Communicating with Confidence & Increasing Your Value with Laurie-Ann Murabito
Sep 12, 2022
45:32
Are you ready to create a message that connects with the right people and builds your business, even if you’re a shy introvert? In this episode, our guest is Laurie-Ann Murabito. She was so shy that she couldn’t even look people in the eye. Almost accidentally, she became a public speaker and discovered that even an extreme introvert can overcome stage fright and communicate powerfully and effectively. She is a business mentor and speaking strategist who teaches clients to communicate with confidence, and leverage speaking opportunities to be positioned as the expert, attract high-end clients, and monetize their authority. Laurie-Ann is the best-selling author of Rethink Leadership and Rethink Your Leadership and host of the Be In Demand Podcast. In our conversation, Laurie-Ann shares her story of becoming a public speaker and how she overcame her shyness to achieve success. She encourages you to take the first step towards your goals and share your stories to inspire others. She stresses how the fear of public speaking is something that a lot of people deal with and it can really hold someone back from really taking the plunge and trying to speak in front of an audience. So, if you're afraid of public speaking, learning how to do it properly can really help you out. Listen and enjoy! Key Highlights: [00:01 - 08:07] Opening Segment • How Laurie-Ann became a powerful speaker Learn to communicate with confidence and leverage speaking opportunities The best-selling author of Rethink Leadership and Rethink Your Leadership • There are three different types of speakers • Take the first step even if it's not perfect, and never give up on their dreams. [08:08 - 23:33] Overcoming Stagefright and Communicate with Confidence • The fear of speaking can be a barrier to success It's important for business owners to learn how to communicate confidently • How public speaking is a valuable skill and increases business owner's value • You don't have to keep coming up with new stories every time you speak • Where the fear of being judged comes from If you're not part of the inner circle, you'll be kicked out. [23:34 - 39:04] Speak Like a Leader Without Stressing • Why leaders should take baby steps before speaking, be themselves, and ask for feedback • The key points for a successful public speaking engagement Having an opening that grabs attention Providing valuable information in the authority section Ending with a call to action. • Becoming a speaker is easy with the right approach • Integrity is important when delivering speeches as it can help build trust and credibility with audiences [39:05 - 45:31] Closing Segment • Why narcissism is a personality trait that makes someone difficult to coach • Storytelling is an important tool for getting your employees and customers excited about what you do Key Quotes: "Being able to tell stories is so infectious. The storytelling is so powerful and a lot of us don't realize it." - Laurie-Ann Murabito Connect with Laurie-Ann: Follow her on Instagram and LinkedIn. Head to Speak And Stand Out , and get crystal clear on your message! Let’s Talk Exits! Check out my new podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lets-talk-exits/id1606747718 Connect with Ptex Group: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn LEAVE A REVIEW + and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to achieve in business. Listen to previous episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts!
171
Going for Stupid: Steve Sims and the Art of Moving From Ridicule to Reverence
Going for Stupid: Steve Sims and the Art of Moving From Ridicule to Reverence
Sep 19, 2022
47:39
Did you ever have a crazy idea that you thought just might be a big one but you never did anything about it because you didn't want people to laugh? This week, our guest is Steve Sims, the author of Bluefishing: The Art of Making Things Happen and Go For Stupid: The Art of Achieving Ridiculous Goals which will be released on October 18. Called by Forbes Magazine, “The man with the world’s coolest job,” Steve has become famous for taking the craziest dreams of his celebrity clients and making them a reality. In our conversation, we’re going to hear about some of his wildest adventures, and learn how the fear of ridicule can stop us from doing the things that might be the keys to our success. Steve also teaches us how to recognize when something stupid might actually be brilliant and how to approach business and personal goals with a curious mindset. Listen and enjoy! Key Highlights: [00:01 - 07:44] Opening Segment • Steve shares his experience working with celebrities and high-profile clients • The key asset to achieving success Having a curious mindset when pursuing goals • Check out The Art of Making Things Happen [07:45 - 24:11] People Laugh at Your Goals to Keep You Down • How different cultures can help or hinder a person's ability to pursue their goals Steve's advice on how to manage these differences • Going for stupid isn't the same as being reckless • Why entrepreneurs need to have goals that are both achievable and ridiculous to be successful They should vision their goals and reverse engineer them down to the smallest steps necessary to make them a reality • Stupid goals are those that are so far out of reach that they become impossible to achieve, but are still worth pursuing [24:12 - 40:09] Change Your Process and Achieve Greater Success • What has led to a canceled culture in which people no longer want to engage in conversations or projects People are afraid of being laughed at • Instead of laughing at those who make mistakes, we should challenge them and help them learn from their mistakes • Don't give yourself excuses for not changing; try different things to see what works When you start doing things differently, your mind starts seeing opportunities that it may not have seen before • The key to success is having a balance between your business and personal growth, and being true to your standards [40:10 - 47:38] Closing Segment • Steve on the rapid-fire questions • Q&A: When do I know it's time to quit? Want to connect with Steve? Follow him on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, and Twitter. Visit his website, and make the impossible possible! Key Quotes: "Do things that disrupt the way you live and your mind will start to accept and recognize alternatives." - Steve Sims "Most of society today wants to laugh at your goals to keep you down. But if you don't go for stupid goals how are you gonna dare of achieving them." - Steve Sims Let’s Talk Exits! Check out my new podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lets-talk-exits/id1606747718 Connect with Ptex Group: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn LEAVE A REVIEW + and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to achieve in business. Listen to previous episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts!
172
Overcoming Fear and Maximizing Potential with Shlomo Friedman
Overcoming Fear and Maximizing Potential with Shlomo Friedman
Oct 24, 2022
1:02:18
Is the fear of tipping off your competition, losing your employees, and disappointing your clients hurting your ability to communicate honestly and effectively? In this episode, our guest is Shlomo Friedman, he is a Partner & Executive Director of Imperial, a leading real estate brokerage headquartered in Lakewood, New Jersey. He is renowned for his emphasis on company culture & mindset work, helping Imperial agents sell more and dream bigger through the power of training, support, & teamwork. Shlomo is also a much sought-after speaker on sales and company culture, presenting at popular events and seminars, where he empowers high achievers to set and achieve impressive goals. In this episode, Shlomo digs deep into why fear is a great motivator but it destroys the possibility of having a growth mindset. He points out how important it's to reach your fullest potential and make sure you have accountability as a leader. Shlomo stresses out the importance of not getting stuck when you don't get the results you worked for and encourages you to rate yourself on how well you communicate and admit where you need to improve. Tune in and discover how to assure that your work and personal goals support each other. Listen and enjoy! Key Highlights: [00:01 - 15:48] Opening Segment • Shlomo shares how to succeed despite fear The importance of company culture and mindset work • How fear can hurt your ability to communicate honestly and effectively with your employees, clients, and competitors • Shlomo's outlook on titles and responsibilities in corporate America [15:49 - 32:49] How to Achieve Your Potential: Mindset, Activities & Results • Understanding what your responsibility is and personally growing yourself are key to succeed in your business • Why the leader's responsibility is to help people realize their unrealized potential • There is no way to make any change without understanding the cause of the lack of progress To grow, one needs to have a growth mindset and believe one can achieve anything • When the growth mindset is established, the focus shifts to practical actions that will enable growth How to focus on the positive aspects of negative situations, and use spin to turn negative events into positives [32:50 - 48:44] Give the Work-Life Balance You Deserve • When we don't have a growth mindset, we are driven by fears • The benefits of having a growth mindset when communicating with your clients, employees, and competitors Always let them know what you can do and how you'll try to do it better • How to have a work-life balance that supports your personal goals A person's real life is more than business, and their goal and where they want to get to is much bigger than the business • Why your business goals should support your personal goals [48:45 - 1:02:17] Closing Segment • Shlomo on the rapid-fire questions • Q&A: How to know which event to attend? Want to connect with Shlomo? Follow him on LinkedIn. Key Quotes: "If we can think of the other more than of ourselves, that's how we grow." - Shlomo Friedman "I feel much more comfortable with not a title but with an understanding of what it is that my obligation in the organization is." - Shlomo Friedman Connect with Ptex Group: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn LEAVE A REVIEW + and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to achieve in business. Listen to previous episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts!
173
Balancing Business Success with Health and Wellness: A Talk with Luke DePron
Balancing Business Success with Health and Wellness: A Talk with Luke DePron
Oct 31, 2022
30:23
How many times have you had the resolution to start losing weight, but after a couple of days or weeks, or months it all goes to waste? In this episode, our guest is Luke DePron, an online weight loss coach for busy entrepreneurs and businessmen, as well as the host of the Live Great Lifestyle podcast. Both from his training and from strategies learned from exceptional sportsmen and elite performers, Luke has transformed everyday men into Olympic-level athletes. Today, he helps high-achieving entrepreneurs lose 20 pounds or more of body fat through the Lean Body Method™ so their physiques, energy, and confidence match the success they have in business and in life. In our conversation, Luke navigates how to establish your way to fitness, avoid work that is unhealthy for you, and lead a successful business. He digs into how to achieve wellness, make it stick, and set up realistic goals. He remarks on the importance of creating a business culture where employees' health is prioritized and they feel you care about them as well as their wellness. Listen and enjoy! Key Highlights: [00:01 - 06:48] Opening Segment •Luke shares his background a work A health and fitness coach who helps entrepreneurs recover their health and wellness • How often business leaders have sacrificed health to build wealth • Wealth and wellness go together, and they need to step into a practice that supports their goals • Why October through November is the best time to take on health and fitness goals [06:49 - 16:33] Slow and Steady Wins the Race to Lose Weight • How to overcome the challenges of starting a fitness program when you're busy • You don't need to go to the gym to achieve your fitness goals • Why resistance training can be an important part of a healthy lifestyle Slower, longer-term weight loss is more successful than rapid weight loss • Eating a standard, healthy diet that is easy to adjust calories from is key to success [16:34 - 26:47] Leaders Look to Build Great Cultures, Great Environments • How leveraging your low-level step count is a massive point • Luke's advice to build great cultures and work environments Promoting a healthy first culture and setting standards to achieve them • Luke breaks down great leadership strategies • Be willing to give and contribute to others [26:48 - 30:22] How to Get More Clients After Completing Work • Luke on the rapid-fire questions • Q&A: What is my next step in order to get more clients? Want to connect with Luke? Follow him on LinkedIn, Instagram & Facebook. Head to his website to increase confidence & energy! Key Quotes: "We need to step into a health and fitness practice that supports whatever it is that your goals in life are." - Luke DePron "By you becoming a healthier version of yourself, the time that is invested, you're gonna buy it back through productivity, through feeling better, through having more confidence." - Luke DePron Connect with Ptex Group: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn LEAVE A REVIEW + and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to achieve in business. Listen to previous episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts!
174
3 Keys to Successful Sales with a Proactive Approach
3 Keys to Successful Sales with a Proactive Approach
Jun 20, 2022
46:10
What is a definition of a good salesperson? In this week’s episode, our guest is Fred Diamond. He is the host and producer of the Sales Game Changers Podcast and is the co-founder of the Institute for Excellence in Sales (IES). He is also an advocate for Lyme disease treatment and is a frequent article contributor to LymeDisease.org. His books, “Love, Hope, Lyme” and “Insights for Sales Game Changers” will hit bookshelves on in July. In this conversation, we are reminded of the virtues a salesperson must have in order to become successful - a deep understanding of the customers’ needs, the company’s offers, and perceiving sales as a profession than simply a task to accomplish the quota. Fred Diamond also touches on the idea that it takes time for a salesperson to build trust with their customers. Listen closely as we discuss diversity in sales, how to create a successful sales process, and what makes a good salesperson in today’s world. Listen and enjoy! [00:01 - 09:08] Opening Segment Fred on cultivating his passion for sales Working in high-tech marketing Realizing the importance of salespeople The urgent need for support in sales success Check out Sales Game Changers [09:09 - 21:55] What it Takes to Be a Great Salesperson Defining a good salesperson Believe in the company and understand– Customer needs The product Sales as a profession How the little things matter Realize that your offers may not be the right solution Display proactiveness and show up as a partner for the clients Building trust requires more than a couple of phone calls [21:56 - 40:42] Tips for Better Performance from Sales People Fred’s advice on establishing relationships with clients People need solutions from people they trust There is no need to play ballgames, just honest answers Put yourself in the head of the customer How introverts can outsell you They think about the needs of the customers They know that they need to engage with people [40:43 - 46:10] Closing Segment The effects of world events on people’s lives Learn more about Fred with the Rapid Fire Questions! Connect with Fred Follow him on LinkedIn and check out his podcast, Sales Game Changers for more tips on successful sales strategies. Don’t miss his recommendations - The Introvert's Edge by Matthew Pollard, The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks, and Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl. We’re a passionate bunch. Together, we help your business flourish. Visit: https://ptexgroup.com Let’s Talk Exits! Check out my new podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lets-talk-exits/id1606747718 Connect with Ptex Group: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn LEAVE A REVIEW + and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to achieve in business. Listen to previous episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts! Key Quotes “The salespeople were the key. I had to support these people, I had to do things to make them successful by getting the right messaging in the marketplace, bringing the right products to market, and helping them target the marketing programs and their customers to accelerate the sales process.” - Fred Diamond “A great sales call is one where the customer does 90% of the talking.” - Fred Diamond “Sometimes, to be a great salesperson, you're not going to sell something, maybe you bring them a better solution.” - Fred Diamond “The great sales professionals are conscious of having a diverse team to support their diverse audience.” - Fred Diamond
175
The Secrets of Webinar Success with Steve Werner
The Secrets of Webinar Success with Steve Werner
Nov 14, 2022
54:17
If you had 75 potential customers hanging on to every word and you had two hours to talk to them, how would you spend that time? In this episode, our guest is Steve Werner, in the last eight years, he has gone from failing at holding live events - to the point that one hotel told him they would never do business with him again - to holding over 41 successful live events for himself and 23 for his clients. He has spoken on hundreds of stages and critiqued and helped the sales presentations of hundreds more. During covid, he pivoted to helping online entrepreneurs launch webinars, which have produced more than 6.9 million dollars in sales over the past 18 months. In our conversation, Steve shares the lessons learned from his failures and how this has allowed him to provide actionable advice and tools and help businesses grow and succeed. He stresses out how to build a successful webinar and breaks down the two keys to achieving it. He emphasizes the reason why business owners should become known and trusted by their audience in order to increase sales and highlights the importance of having an action plan for your business. Listen and enjoy! Key Highlights: [00:01 - 07:43] Opening Segment • Steve shares important lessons that led to his success today Anything worth doing is hard and requires effort How to market and sell to customers effectively • Steve's strong passion for helping others grow and succeed [07:44 - 27:00] How to Succeed When Your Dreams Don't Match Your Reality • You have to ask yourself where you want to be in the future and figure out what steps will get you there When things don't go as planned, it's important to remember that it's not the end of the world • Having a plan and taking small, consistent actions are essential to achieve success • Three things you can do to make a big difference Reading every day, having great friends, learning from failures • Entrepreneurs need to be willing to take the risk to succeed, and being reckless is not a good way to go about things [27:01 - 44:02] Making Your Webinars More Successful • When spending money on ads, you should know what you're looking for the ads to do How you're going to recoup your money, and what your sales process is • The importance of having a plan for what to do if something goes wrong • Why you should focus on telling stories about your personal life to connect with your audience Engagement is more important than teaching • How to overcome a lack of action with your business [44:03 - 54:37] Wapping Up! • Things might go wrong but that doesn't mean you should radically change your business plan • Steve on the rapid-fire questions • Q&A: When is the timing right to add more services to your business? Want to connect with Steve? Follow him on LinkedIn, and Facebook. Head to his website, and build a powerful, engaging presentation that is a money-making machine for your business! Key Quotes: "Everybody's got a plan until they get punched in the face." - Steve Werner "Instead of talking at somebody, engage with them and bring them into what you're doing and use stories." - Steve Werner "The more imperfect you are the more you'll relate to people." - Steve Werner Let’s Talk Exits! Check out my new podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lets-talk-exits/id1606747718 Connect with Ptex Group: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn LEAVE A REVIEW + and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to achieve in business. Listen to previous episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts!
176
Creating Income from Home By Utilizing Things You Already Know with Martha Krejci
Creating Income from Home By Utilizing Things You Already Know with Martha Krejci
Nov 21, 2022
43:05
Nowadays, as more and more people work from home, having multiple income streams is increasingly important - and world-renowned marketing expert Martha Krejci has created a system to help you maximize profits by developing these streams one at a time. Join Meny Hoffman as he and Martha talk about affiliate marketing, how many income streams a person should have, what social media platforms you should emphasize and which you shouldn’t, how to use SEO to get to the top of Google searches, and much more. Listen and enjoy! Martha Krejci is a world-renowned expert in the areas of SEO, organic traffic, and personal brand building. She uses these three skill sets together to teach everyday people how to make sustainable and even scalable income with affiliate marketing. Fortune 500 companies often invite her to teach their own affiliates how to be more successful. Other companies have put her on their payroll to educate their own affiliates on a regular basis because they see a major uptick in activity after she speaks. Key Highlights: [00:01 - 07:50] Opening Segment • How Martha's mindset led her to become an entrepreneur. Why quitting her job and starting her own business was a defining moment in her journey • How Martha created an exit strategy and goal for her business • Be realistic with your goals and not be overly optimistic [07:51 - 19:40] How to Succeed When Starting Your Own Business • How Martha realized moving to the SEO space was a good fit for their skills and experience Why her previous corporate experience helped her to be prepared for the entrepreneurial path • What you need to create content that gets you results Giving away free training sessions on SEO and ecommerce • Google is a great tool to determine what content to create in order to rank well [19:41 - 31:26] How to Create Content That Gets Scraped • Why long-form content is not as effective as shorter content • People should focus on one medium and master it before branching out Figure out what platforms are most authentic to them and focus on those • How to be successful in affiliate marketing Affiliate marketing is a great way to start off with income [31:27 - 43:54] Closing Segment • Martha on the rapid-fur questions • Q&A: When is my business ready for rebranding? Want to connect with Martha? Follow her on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram & YouTube. Visit her website, and be your authentic self. Key Quotes: "We need to think about ourselves less. And we need to think about who we're about to serve more." - Martha Krejci "You build your business from giving away." - Martha Krejci Connect with Ptex Group: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn LEAVE A REVIEW + and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to achieve in business. Listen to previous episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts!
177
01 - Welcome to the Let's Talk Exits Podcast
01 - Welcome to the Let's Talk Exits Podcast
Jan 24, 2022
6:20
The Let’s Talk Exits Podcast hosted by Meny Hoffman is a show dedicated to the growth and success of Amazon and e-commerce brand-builders. You’ll learn all about how you can maximize the value of your business to achieve your ideal exit. We believe it’s never too early to start thinking about your exit. I’m sure you have a lot of questions about Amazon and the e-commerce space. You are not alone. In this podcast, you will get to know stories, practical tips and strategies to help you launch your brand and turn your dreams into reality. [00:01 - 02:35] Opening Segment Welcome to the show! Discussing your pressing questions with incredibly knowledgeable guests Weekly posts ahead! Educating and guiding the exit process [01:49 - 05:34] Maximize Your Exit with the Right Tools and Strategies Thought about exiting? Providing invaluable tools to get on the radar What are Amazon aggregators? Consolidating small successful sellers into one parent company Why do people choose to sell their businesses? For many reasons - financial freedom, pursuit of another passion, lack of resources to sustain a growing business, or to start a new venture It’s all about crafting a strategic exit. Considering the timing, value and potential of your brand, and the best potential buyer [04:50 - 06:38] Closing Segment Be empowered and maximize your exit Book a strategy session, drop your questions and comments on https://letstalkexits.com Connect with us! (links below) Key Quotes: “It's never too early to start thinking about your exit. No matter how much you love, or have invested in your business. Think about the exit.” - Meny Hoffman “It's important that you don't go about it [exiting] on your own without knowing all the facts, because you want to make sure you're maximizing the exit to its fullest potential.” - Meny Hoffman Visit Let’s Talk Exits and drop your questions and comments https://letstalkexits.com Connect with Meny on LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/menyhoffman LEAVE A REVIEW + and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to achieve their ideal exit. Listen to previous episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts!
178
From a 15k Side Hustle to a 2-Billion-Dollar Business with Spencer Jan
From a 15k Side Hustle to a 2-Billion-Dollar Business with Spencer Jan
Feb 3, 2022
49:09
It’s a common misconception that there has to be a large capital to start an e-commerce business built for success. Spencer Jan’s story will reveal otherwise. Listen as he shares his journey from a 15k side hustle to a booming two-billion-dollar business! Spencer Jan is the co-founder of Solo Stove, an e-commerce company that was started in 2010 as a side hustle in a garage with only 15K. Solo Stove grew into Solo Brands and in 2021, raised $219M through an IPO (NYSE: DTC) giving the company that he started in a garage a valuation of over $2 BILLION dollars! After a decade of starting and growing ecommerce businesses and having successfully exited the daily operations of Solo Stove, Spencer is now turning his focus to helping other ecommerce entrepreneurs find success. [00:01 - 08:55] Opening Segment Who is Spencer Jan? Starting in the garage at 15k to a two-billion-dollar business Hone in on good products for e-commerce. Bootstrapping as the only option and viable path to entrepreneurship Be our own brand! Growing through the site by design Building value in the brand [08:56 - 35:02] The Leap to Entrepreneurship for Time Freedom and Fulfillment What does it take to grow the brand with passion? Finding true passion in e-commerce Creating a community of like-minded people Build with intention. Falling in love with what you do - interacting with customers and offering desirable products Start with a seed of passion. What are some early trials and errors to stay away from? Failures as the stepping stones to get to a place of understanding Let stamina carry you to opportunities. Setbacks as necessary and avenues to learning What are the differences between taking calculated risks and recklessness? Feeling like a mouse in a maze We get better over time! Going back to the essence of entrepreneurship - time freedom and fulfillment Do we optimize our time? What prompted the decision to shift to entrepreneurship? Wanting our time and freedom back [35:03 - 44:41] The Opportunity to Go Big with Little Investment in E-Commerce How was the IPO stage of your journey? Achievements as not who you are Reflect and consider paying it forward. Spencer Jan’s outlook on e-commerce Varied tools and opportunities with little investment needed Go for it! A space for amazing brands to emerge, stories to be told, emotional connections to be made, and communities to be built [44:42 - 46:52] Closing Segment Spencer on the four rapid fire questions Book a strategy session, drop your questions and comments on https://letstalkexits.com Connect with us! (links below) Key Quotes: “If we're selling this item, we also have to help people experience those feelings.” - Spencer Jan “Start somewhere where passion is there, or at least the seed of passion is there, and see where it takes you and the twists and turns that all businesses eventually take can lead you to a place that you never thought you were going to be at when you started it.” - Spencer Jan “It's [e-commerce] life-changing for so many people. And so I just encourage entrepreneurs to go for it to dive in. And there's no better time to start than now.” - Spencer Jan Connect with Spencer https://www.youtube.com/c/SpencerJan/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/spencerjan/ Visit Let’s Talk Exits and drop your questions and comments https://letstalkexits.com Connect with Meny on LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/menyhoffman LEAVE A REVIEW + and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to achieve their ideal exit. Listen to previous episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts!
179
How Four Guys Built a Multibillion Dollar Powerhouse with John Hefter
How Four Guys Built a Multibillion Dollar Powerhouse with John Hefter
Feb 10, 2022
48:33
What are the key ingredients for turning a bootstrapped startup into a business with a valuation of up to 10-billion dollars? This week my guest, John Hefter, the founder of Thrasio, shares his story of crafting a multi-billion-dollar powerhouse! In our interview, he explains how he and his partners scaled by prioritizing higher-value opportunities and building harmonious work environments. According to John, one of his most important roles is to listen to people in positions of power in the company and identify what conflicts or problems need resolution. John also talks about the keys to a scalable business; Establishing winning cultures by building endurance in the workplace to drive people towards a goal. Winning cultures are fun, meaningful, and have no room for ego. Listen and enjoy! As a founder of Thrasio, John Hefter has been fortunate to witness his original team of 4 grow into a 1000 person, multibillion-dollar powerhouse. At work and in life, he is a polymath with unrelenting energy and curiosity. John enjoys regularly deploying his expertise in branding, creative, neuroscience marketing, business development, acquisitions, leadership, culture building, and product development across diverse sets of business domains. If there is a challenge met, John will face it openly with creativity, humor, and persistence. [00:01 - 08:04] Opening Segment John Hefter on building a multibillion-dollar powerhouse Starting with four individuals with varying skills - networking, finance, system-building, and sales Play around with the market leverage. When the perfect environment for acquisition opens up [08:05 - 31:51] Building a Winning Culture through Harmonious Work Environments How was the pace of scaling to reach the vision? Taking it one step at a time Being humble enough to be aware of your weaknesses Outsource the daunting tasks. What is the typical day look like in the company? Strategy-building and turning weaknesses into strengths Identifying what conflicts need resolution Balance time to think, to work on projects, to reach out, and to solve problems. How do we establish a winning culture? Being serious without taking life seriously Capitalize your endurance to keep striving despite fear. Knowing your flow state and triggers of stress Grinding your employees to save pennies has a worse outcome than striving to create a harmonious work environment. Getting the best of both worlds - fun and seriousness in the workplace [31:52 - 44:42] Establishing Your Space in the E-Commerce Realm John Hefter’s outlook on e-commerce Modest to moderate growth across every category in Amazon A cooling-off period in the acquisition side for e-commerce Do not expect quick money! Start with the objective in mind and analyze the brand’s position. Settling in and optimizing management Where should you focus on to grow your business? Showing reliable return of investment Understand the cycle of the products. A smaller, healthier company is better [44:43 - 48:33] Closing Segment John on the four rapid-fire questions Book a strategy session, drop your questions and comments on https://letstalkexits.com Connect with us! (links below) Key Quotes: “There's something captivating about a good origin story because all of us see the potential of that in ourselves.” - John Hefter “We literally have a rule in our office, that's ‘No Assholes’. I don't care how talented you are if you're not a cultural fit… It's a visceral response of them trying to gain power at all costs… And that, to me is a big sign that you're not going to be fit for our culture.” - John Hefter “On your spreadsheet, you might say like, ‘Hey, I'm saving pennies here by grinding out my employees just a little bit more,’ but your long term outcomes will be much worse than creating a harmonious work environment.” - John Hefter Connect with John https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-hefter-a27aaaab/ Visit Let’s Talk Exits and drop your questions and comments https://letstalkexits.com Connect with Meny on LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/menyhoffman LEAVE A REVIEW + and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to achieve their ideal exit. Listen to previous episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts!
180
Why Investors are Funding Aggregators Acquiring Hundreds of Amazon’s Third-Party Sellers with Brian Harwitt
Why Investors are Funding Aggregators Acquiring Hundreds of Amazon’s Third-Party Sellers with Brian Harwitt
Feb 17, 2022
37:18
What exactly happens in the aggregator space? Let’s demystify the ins and outs of this business model in e-commerce with Brian Harwitt from Coventure. He breaks down what exactly goes on in the operations of aggregators, why they are excited to buy brands, and how credit provides more opportunities for sellers to scale in the space! In our interview, Brian explains why lenders are willing to fund these opportunities as e-commerce goes on its way to stabilization. The obvious effects of COVID-19 on e-commerce seem to be the one to blame when it comes to profitability fluctuation, but considering the ease of supply chain, availability of capital, and consumer preference, Brian points out that we are leaning towards growth and stabilization of the e-commerce ecosystem. Listen and enjoy! Brian is a Partner at Coventure, working within its Credit Opportunities group. He has spent a significant amount of his time working with Amazon Third Party Seller Aggregators, working with 10+ different aggregators across credit and equity investments. Brian also works with emerging fintech companies to help provide creative solutions to finance their company. Prior to joining Coventure, Brian worked in the Investment Banking group at Guggenheim. [00:01 - 08:49] Utilizing Credit Opportunities in the E-Commerce Space Brian Harwitt on getting into e-commerce Utilizing credit opportunities This allows financing new-age businesses including Amazon sellers. Vetting the risk factor Make sure to have the highest quality management teams. Apply due diligence with the competency of underlying aggregators. E-commerce in the lens of credit Opportunities for higher returns Taking away the need of bringing the customers to the page [08:50 - 19:35] Stabilizing the Ecosystem through Supply and Capital Availability What is the economics behind the venture capital perspective? Financial arbitrage by efficient use of debt It is about creating more value through expansion. Prioritizing market share followed by profitability Do equity rounds make a difference in the operations of the company? Prerequisites in taking on debt as a seller Scaling fast without quickly raising equity Brian Harwitt’s outlook on e-commerce for aggregators What the easing of supply chain issues entails Stabilized ecosystem for continued growth Creating more options for exits What should a seller look for to exit? Considering the certainty of the close Dangers of miscommunication or misrepresentation [19:36 - 35:00] Learn From Mistakes and Step into the Industry Are there opportunities for entry into the e-commerce space? Professionalization through aggregators Learning where to focus on Up to what extent is the control of aggregators? Due diligence to combat potential trust issues Guarding a good reputation for more closes What does day-to-day in the company look like? The intersection of technology and finance The blending of cultures between the venture Brian Harwitt’s outlook on brands picking up on e-commerce Professionalizing the systems in the marketplace The bullish trend and observable growth year by year Awareness of what aggregators avoid Negotiation and mitigating risks [35:01 - 37:18] Closing Segment Brian on the four rapid-fire questions Book a strategy session, drop your questions and comments on https://letstalkexits.com Connect with us! (links below) Key Quotes: “As more and more players came into the space, we [Brian and his business partner] became more confident in the ecosystem, the ability to align to it, and the institutionalization of it.” - Brian Harwitt “The e-commerce on Amazon's platform is really appealing because it took away the need of bringing the customers to your page.” - Brian Harwitt “A lot of what I've seen in a lot of Amazon sellers, specifically in most of my experiences in Amazon, is that you gain market share first and worry about profitability later.” - Brian Harwitt “As we see the supply chain issues ease, and as we see, hopefully, stabilized demand and more predictability, I think it'll be easier for capital to come into the space as we see more of a steady-state rather than this, like, euphoria, and then come down to earth. And then now we'll sort of see, what does the stabilized ecosystem look like?” - Brian Harwitt Connect with Brian https://coventure.vc/ https://twitter.com/bharwitt Visit Let’s Talk Exits and drop your questions and comments https://letstalkexits.com Connect with Meny on LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/menyhoffman LEAVE A REVIEW + and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to achieve their ideal exit. Listen to previous episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts!
181
A Seller’s Journey to an Exit of Over 100M Dollars with Adam Feinberg
A Seller’s Journey to an Exit of Over 100M Dollars with Adam Feinberg
Feb 24, 2022
56:25
What does it take to set up your corner in eCommerce world? What is the formula for making sure that each product is worthwhile? Our guest, Adam Feinberg from Britech Inc, amazes us with his story of starting a business with $40,000 in capital, selling Bluetooth speakers. As his product line grew, his brand grew to over $80 million in sales. Ultimately, he sold his business for over $100 million! So, how’d he do it? In our interview, Adam advises on practical marketing tips, and he highlights the ways we can prepare ourselves for growth, success, and an ideal exit for our eCommerce businesses. He explains that if we can go the extra mile to enhance our sales processes and financial management, our chances of success are that much greater. With such an admirable story, our chat is filled with golden bits of advice and wisdom. Listen in and you’ll be on the road to taking action in no time. Listen and enjoy! Adam is the CEO of Britech Inc, a brand new e-commerce start-up, and Chairman for ClearSpace, an e-commerce company focused on storage solutions. He sold Web Deals Direct, an e-commerce firm which grew to over 80 millions dollars in annualized sales in less than 6 years, for 100M plus to Perch in spring 2021. Adam is currently working with the Perch team as a consultant. Prior to selling on Amazon, Adam was the CEO of a search engine optimization firm. Adam also has 15 years enterprise software development experience, as a consultant with Accenture. [00:01 - 10:10] From Making Websites to Amazon Success Adam Feinberg on discovering eCommerce Making websites and involvement in SEO Turning $40,000 bucks into $100 million It was simply about trying not to get jobs. Starting own logistics and growing the staff Keeping full stocks during COVID-19 as an advantage [10:11 - 28:23] Marketing Tactics to Employ for Better Brand Positioning What was the marketing strategy behind selling multiple brands? Adding variety and selling in different categories Spending money on trademarks Come up with some backup. How do we decide between opening another brand or expanding the existing one? Doubling down what works Expanding from the US to Canada or UK markets Adding complementary products in the same brand How do we go from marketing tactics to selling? Coming into a realization of ongoing expenses Approaching private equity firms and getting the deal done [28:24 - 52:55] The Realities of the eCommerce Space in Financials and Cashflow Where should eCommerce newbies focus on? Establishing serious financials and doing the books Ensuring accurate accounting for transparency Your net margins should be at least 15%. The significance of sufficient capital before starting The rise of aggregators changing the cash flow of the business The simplification of accounting - cash basis Being wary of the $26 million-dollar mark Tips on launching products Offering coupons to run ads Gathering reviews and minimizing ads Building additional storefronts as guidance [52:56 - 56:25] Closing Segment Adam on the four rapid-fire questions Book a strategy session, drop your questions and comments on https://letstalkexits.com Connect with us! (links below) Key Quotes: “I recommend in general, to spend money on trademarks, a couple of years in advance, of things you want, might want to do and come up with brands. And if you like a category, unfortunately, come up with some backup. ” - Adam Feinberg “The most success that we had on web deals direct was taking something that was already working, doubling, tripling and quadrupling down on it.” - Adam Feinberg “I honestly don't recommend people going into the Amazon space, unless they have hundreds of thousands of dollars to spend right now.” - Adam Feinberg Connect with Adam https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-feinberg-6879033b Visit Let’s Talk Exits and drop your questions and comments https://letstalkexits.com Connect with Meny on LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/menyhoffman LEAVE A REVIEW + and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to achieve their ideal exit. Listen to previous episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts!
182
How to Determine the Next Hottest Product on Amazon with Tim Jordan
How to Determine the Next Hottest Product on Amazon with Tim Jordan
Mar 3, 2022
39:35
How is it possible to figure out the next top-selling product on Amazon? With the presence of tools and software at our fingertips, it seems doable, but this week’s guest, Tim Jordan, tells us that those are not precisely the key ingredients to launching success. In our interview, he emphasizes the need to do your own broad research before diving into product development. He warns us of the dangers of trendy products that would someday only gather dust in your warehouse. He explains how the barriers to entry to Amazon become an advantage and that we should trust the system. Trust yourself in looking for opportunities in the space and use the tools available to validate and build confidence in your decisions. Listen and enjoy! Tim Jordan is a serial entrepreneur and e-commerce expert, having developed multiple online brands as well as helping hundreds of other sellers through training and coaching. He is also the host of many popular content series, such as the AM/PM podcast. Tim also works as an Executive Strategist for many service-based companies in the e-commerce industry. Tim has built, launched, and created multiple brands across multiple platforms and had large collaborations in E-com education. [00:01 - 07:44] Opening Segment Tim Jordan on getting involved in real estate Comparing wholesale price for government bidding to online shops got him thinking Opening a shipping and sourcing company targets the biggest problem of the private label space Producing content even after the exit and becoming an executive advisor [07:45 - 26:53] Winning Strategies for Finding Opportunities and Product Development What is your strategy in product development? The dangers of not having the right keywords Find keyword opportunities then transition into development. Utlizing tools and software for analysis and confidence Validate the search volume for keywords. How do you approach launching a hot product? Depending on the product - there is no one correct answer Figuring out how many products to launch with little effort Go wide, not deep. What's your take on letting that product go? Asking yourself if it’s worth the time Combating shiny object syndrome by avoiding useless products [26:54 - 35:00] Why the Best Time to be Entrepreneurs is Today What is your advice for people still entering the space? Why the risk is worth the reward Stacking dominoes to reach your Amazon goal Have faith in the system. How the best time to be entrepreneurs is now Tim Jordan on being a host of a big podcast Opportunities to build a network of noteworthy people Making an impact even on another side of the world [35:01 - 39:35] Closing Segment Tim on the four rapid-fire questions Book a strategy session, drop your questions and comments on https://letstalkexits.com Connect with us! (links below) Key Quotes: “When we think about Amazon, specifically, we have to understand that we do not sell products, we sell keywords. So even if I have the greatest product in the world, if there's no keyword demand for it, or there's too much keyword competition, it won't sell.” - Tim Jordan “There's no simple button to push. And if you're just pushing a button to find the great product opportunity, you're pushing the same button as everybody else, and you're gonna fail at it.” - Tim Jordan “The software is giving the evidence and not dictating decision.” - Tim Jordan Connect with Tim privatelabellegion.com IG: @timbo jordan FB: facebook.com/tim.jordan.714 LI: linkedin.com/in/timbo-jordan Visit Let’s Talk Exits and drop your questions and comments https://letstalkexits.com Connect with Meny on LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/menyhoffman LEAVE A REVIEW + and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to achieve their ideal exit. Listen to previous episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts!
183
Avoiding Mental Energy Suckers: The Secrets of Super Productivity with Shea Myski
Avoiding Mental Energy Suckers: The Secrets of Super Productivity with Shea Myski
Jan 29, 2024
44:49
You’ve probably heard this one before: you’re an executive with employees who constantly need your time and attention, but you also have hours of work that you need to finish as soon as possible, and the emails keep coming in, and the phone calls never stop and… by the end of the day, you feel like you actually accomplished a fraction of what needed to get done. How can you escape the trap and start being super productive? Productivity Coach Shea Myski has seen this over and over, and is ready to share some of his biggest secrets of real productivity while saving time and mental energy. Listen in as he and Meny talk about the “Mental Energy Suckers” of choice, noise, and change, including lots of tips about how small changes can lead to big results. So if you’re ready to increase your productivity, the place to start is by cleaning your desk (yes) and listening to this enlightening conversation. [00:01 - 09:27] Understanding Mental Energy Suckers Identifying three main mental energy suckers: choice, noise, and change Strategies to minimize decision fatigue The impact of physical and mental noise on productivity [09:28 - 18:52] Customizing Productivity Techniques The fallacy of one-size-fits-all productivity methods Tailoring productivity approaches to individual work styles and preferences The importance of maintaining a clear and focused mindset throughout the workday [18:53 - 27:17] Effective Time Management Balancing meeting schedules and workloads Techniques for managing emails and other routine tasks efficiently Utilizing breaks and downtime to rejuvenate mental energy [27:18 - 36:41] Optimizing To-Do Lists Creating realistic and achievable to-do lists Distinguishing between must-dos and wish-list items The psychological impact of an organized task list [36:42 - 44:48] Creating a Productive Work Environment The significance of a clutter-free workspace Strategies for setting up an office layout conducive to productivity Balancing open and closed working spaces Want to connect with Shea? Follow him on LinkedIn. Head to his website to discover the simple business formula! Key Quotes: "To me, a to-do list is not about getting things done, but it's about calming your brain down so it doesn't have to create noise." - Shea Myski "If you could work all day with a quiet brain, then you're going to be so much more productive." - Shea Myski Connect with Ptex Group: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn LEAVE A REVIEW + and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to achieve in business. Listen to previous episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts!
184
Scaling and Succeeding in a Creative World: Commercial Photography and Profitable Artistry with Hudi Greenberger
Scaling and Succeeding in a Creative World: Commercial Photography and Profitable Artistry with Hudi Greenberger
Jan 23, 2024
39:46
Hudi Greenberger is well-known for his commercial photography, particularly in the area of food and cookware. But creating his photography studio was a process that involved growth and setbacks, failure and success. Listen in as Meny Hoffman asks Hudi about his journey toward becoming one of the very best at what he does. Learn about how he started in this unusual field, the way he maintains his passion for work and some of the secrets of using photos effectively for online sales. You’ll also discover some of the pitfalls (as well as the benefits) of scaling, how to get the most from your employees without smothering them, what you can learn from failure, the best ways to promote you and your services, and more. [00:01 - 08:17] The Evolution of a Photographer Transition from music to photography driven by curiosity and creativity Early recognition of e-commerce potential in photography Realizing the power of high-quality images in driving sales [08:18 - 16:01] Scaling and Its Challenges Scaling requires learning from experience and continuous self-education The importance of understanding business concepts like scalability Early mistakes in scaling can provide valuable lessons for future growth [16:02 - 24:16] Passion, Creativity, and Business How to balance creative passion with business acumen Necessity of adapting and learning new skills for business growth Recognizing that passion alone isn't enough; business strategies are crucial [24:17 - 32:00] Managing Growth and Profit Understanding the difference between growth and profit Realizing the impact of a well-managed team on business success The need for effective project management in scaling a business [32:01 - 39:46] The Human Aspect of Business The significance of treating employees with respect and humanity Building a positive workplace culture for better productivity The reciprocal nature of employer-employee relationships Want to connect with Hudi? Follow him on LinkedIn and Instagram. Visit his website to explode your sales! Key Quotes: "Don't confuse growth with profit." - Hudi Greenberger "To me. creativity is the person that has a vision and is able to take that vision and put it into reality." - Hudi Greenberger "Make sure your photography is answering the customer's questions before they ask it." - Hudi Greenberger Connect with Ptex Group: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn LEAVE A REVIEW + and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to achieve in business. Listen to previous episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts!
185
The Secret Skills of Sales with Sales Coach Menashe Friedman
The Secret Skills of Sales with Sales Coach Menashe Friedman
Feb 12, 2024
52:30
Sales is what drives your business, and qualified salespeople are your lifeline. But what skills are necessary for success in sales, and can they actually be taught? In this fascinating episode of Let’s Talk Business, traveling salesman turned sales coach Menashe Friedman offers Meny the secrets that help turn regular people into dynamic and effective salesmen. Listen in as they discuss the importance of listening, the skills that drive sales success, why an emphasis on numbers may be misleading, how to transform a failed sales call into a win, why promoting your best salesman to a leadership position is often a mistake, the best way to react when you misread the room, and much more. [00:01 - 10:57] The Evolution of a Sales Maestro The importance of adapting and evolving in sales Learning from failures is more valuable than celebrating successes Continuous education and adaptation are key to sales longevity [10:58 - 22:03] Listening: The Ultimate Sales Weapon Active listening helps uncover the real needs of clients Questions are more powerful than pitches in sales conversations Patience in listening can reveal the exact solution a client needs [22:04 - 34:50] Introverts vs. Extroverts in Sales Introverts can leverage their listening skills to build deep connections Extroverts can use their energy to engage and motivate clients Adaptation and self-awareness are crucial for sales success, regardless of personality type [34:51 - 48:21] Crafting a Winning Sales Process A tailored sales process increases efficiency and success rates Flexibility within a structured approach can meet diverse client needs The sales process should evolve with market trends and customer feedback [48:22 - 52:30] Leadership and Bluntness in Sales Effective leadership involves clear, honest feedback and guidance A balance between kindness and firmness can motivate sales teams Recognizing and addressing the unique needs of each salesperson fosters a productive sales environment Want to connect with Menashe? Follow him on LinkedIn. Head to M. Friedman Consultingto build or radically improve your sales team’s performance! Key Quotes: "Listening is not just a skill; it's your secret weapon in sales." - Menashe Friedman "In sales, your personality is not your destiny; it's your starting point." - Menashe Friedman "Every opportunity we have to learn and grow, it's positive, it's forward movement." - Menashe Friedman Connect with Ptex Group: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn LEAVE A REVIEW + and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to achieve in business. Listen to previous episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts!
186
Confronting the Conflict Between Creativity and Business with Jeff Akerman
Confronting the Conflict Between Creativity and Business with Jeff Akerman
Feb 19, 2024
39:55
Jeff Akerman is a visionary, creative force, architect, and designer - and as the founder of RISE Architecture and numerous other design firms, he knows as well as anyone the conflict between the creative and business sides of a company. In this episode of Let’s Talk Business, Meny, and Jeff dig deeply into the question of how to bridge the inevitable gap between the number crunchers and the creative dreamers. They discuss the importance of giving your employees room to do things for themselves even as they work within your creative vision, the most important factors to consider when choosing a partner, how to engender loyalty among your staff, the benefits of profit sharing (and, perhaps even more, giving your workers a piece of the company), the ways that business and improving the world can go hand-in-hand, and much more. Starting out from his basement in Brooklyn, Jeff Akerman founded BizDesignes, now called RISE Architecture, in 2010, and since then established a number of other large architecture and design firms as well. A licensed Architect in New York and 11 other states, Jeff directed the firm as it experienced exponential growth with a wide range of projects from major interior renovations of single-family residential buildings to commercial, mixed-use, industrial, and institutional new buildings. His most recent project is the development of a new city for religious Jews in Florida. [00:01 - 08:00] The Genesis of Creative Ambition Jeff's unconventional entry into architecture The realization that business understanding is crucial for creative success The importance of a supportive figure in finding one's path [08:01 - 16:00] Expanding Beyond the Blueprint The transition from small projects to major developments The role of rebranding and business evolution in growth Learning the balance between design and practical business considerations [16:01 - 24:00] Cultivating a Creative Team Building a team that shares your vision and dedication The challenge of maintaining creativity while focusing on business growth Strategies for nurturing and retaining talent in a competitive industry [24:01 - 32:00] Blueprints for Success: From Vision to Reality The intricacies of starting and scaling multiple businesses Implementing effective partnership and profit-sharing models Overcoming obstacles and leveraging opportunities for expansion [32:01 - 39:55] Designing Communities: A Visionary Project in Florida The ambitious project of building a new city in Florida The drive and philosophy behind creating lasting impact through architecture Balancing financial goals with the mission of community building and affordable living Want to connect with Jeff? Follow him on LinkedIn. Head to Rise Architecture for a fresh perspective! Key Quotes: "Being good at architecture does not mean you're good at running a business." - Jeff Ackerman "The biggest challenge in growing a creative agency is not losing the spark of creativity while managing the business side." - Jeff Ackerman Connect with Ptex Group: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn LEAVE A REVIEW + and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to achieve in business. Listen to previous episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts!
187
Re-run: How to Tackle The Unique Business Leadership Challenges of 2022 with David Pilchick
Re-run: How to Tackle The Unique Business Leadership Challenges of 2022 with David Pilchick
Feb 26, 2024
31:32
What’s unique about being a business owner in 2022? A business owner in this day and age should be someone who’s accessible to the team, empathetic to the employees’ struggles, and a catalyst to their personal and professional growth. This week our guest is David Pilchick, the founder and owner of Brooklyn Low Voltage Supply. He drops by to talk about the most important qualities of a modern-day leader. He also discusses his journey to becoming a successful business owner, years after dropping out of high school. In our interview, we discuss the leadership skills that are difficult to master, yet absolutely crucial, and how exactly anyone can attain them. Leadership in any industry can be an intimidating field, however, if we can tap into our unique selves, gain confidence, and overcome certain fears, anything is possible. Tune in now and learn how to be a modern-day business owner from David. [00:01 - 06:36] The Unlikely Beginning The transformative power of leadership roles at a young age Overcoming the stigma of being a high school dropout The importance of customer relationships in founding a business [06:37 - 12:44] Building a People-first Culture Creating an environment where employees feel valued and motivated The role of accessibility and presence in leadership Empowering employees for growth and leadership roles [12:45 - 18:27] The Art of Delegation and Scaling Strategies for effective delegation and team empowerment Balancing personal involvement with strategic oversight The importance of building a self-sustaining business model [18:28 - 24:53] Competing in the Era of Amazon Leveraging customer service and expertise as a competitive advantage Adapting business strategies to outmaneuver logistical challenges Predicting and responding to market demands more nimbly than larger competitors [24:54 - 31:31] Vision for the Future The importance of community and giving back Setting goals beyond financial success The ongoing journey of personal and professional development Key Quotes “If your employees feel appreciated and valued, they’re going to come into work with the right attitude, and then they’re going to give your customers the best experience that they can ever expect.” - David Pilchick “As much as it is great to make money, you’ll also want to do something good for the community at the same time.” - David Pilchick Connect with David Email [email protected] to get in touch with David or follow him on LinkedIn. Check out Brooklyn Low Voltage Supply to learn more about their services! We’re a passionate bunch. Together, we help your business flourish. Visit: https://ptexgroup.com Let’s Talk Exits! Check out my new podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lets-talk-exits/id1606747718 Connect with Ptex Group: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn LEAVE A REVIEW + and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to achieve in business. Listen to previous episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts!
188
The Secret Genius of Amazon with Chaim Landau
The Secret Genius of Amazon with Chaim Landau
Mar 4, 2024
36:22
Amazon is a behemoth that dominates the world, yet in some ways, it runs like a startup company. How did founder Jeff Bezos manage to pull that off, while allowing it to continue to grow ever bigger? Join Meny and his guest Chaim Landau, Principal Cloud Delivery Architect at Amazon Web Services in Tel Aviv, as they talk about the reasons that Amazon has been so successful, their insightful and helpful leadership principles, the importance of noticing and grabbing the opportunities that life offers you, the actual meaning of company culture (and why it matters), the way to start working in I.T., and more. [00:01 - 07:15] Innovating at Amazon's Scale Amazon's culture fosters autonomy and fast decision-making The startup-like environment within a tech giant Chaim's early intrigue with technology and his unconventional path into IT [07:16 - 14:00] From Curiosity to Cloud Expertise The journey from a foundational interest in computers to a leading role in AWS Overcoming challenges and the power of self-learning The significance of mentorship and coaching in Chaim's career [14:00 - 21:00] The Amazon Leadership Philosophy The influence of Amazon's leadership principles on employee behavior and company success How Amazon maintains its innovative edge through culture Chaim's transition from traditional IT roles to cloud computing [21:00 - 28:00] AWS: Pioneering Cloud Transformation The evolution of AWS and its role in Amazon's ecosystem The creation and global impact of cloud computing Chaim's role in advancing Israel's public sector through AWS [28:00 - 36:22] Culture as Amazon's Backbone The tangible effects of Amazon's culture on its operations and success The distinction between perks and culture in the tech industry Implementing Amazon's leadership principles in daily operations Want to connect with Chaim? Follow him on LinkedIn and visit Amazon Web Services (AWS)! Key Quotes: "Culture is human software; it's psychology." - Chaim Landau "An effective technology team is one that also has a very strong culture supporting it." - Chaim Landau "You need to fail because if you don't fail, your experience will not grow." - Chaim Landau Connect with Ptex Group: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn LEAVE A REVIEW + and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to achieve in business. Listen to previous episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts!
189
The Leadership Principles that Make Amazon Unique with Chaim Landau
The Leadership Principles that Make Amazon Unique with Chaim Landau
Mar 11, 2024
31:42
How can you implement Amazon’s leadership principles so that your business can become more efficient, more effective, more profitable, and more enjoyable? Chaim Landau, Principal Cloud Delivery Architect at Amazon Web Services in Tel Aviv, has become an expert in these principles - and in this episode of Let’s Talk Business, he shares some of them, along with practical examples of how you can make them work for you. Join Meny and Chaim as they discuss how to make meetings more efficient, the real meaning of frugality, the importance of taking additional risks (even if you might lose big), the difference between one-way-door decisions and two-way-door decisions, what customer obsession means and what it doesn’t mean, why you need to have a mentor as well as why you should be a mentor, the place of personal development outside the office, and more. [00:01 - 05:12] The Heart of Innovation: Customer Obsession Customer obsession drives success The importance of customer feedback Balancing business needs with customer priorities [05:13 - 10:29] Cultivating Agility: Decision-Making at Amazon Quick decision-making fosters innovation The one-way and two-way door decision framework Learning from failures to accelerate growth [10:30 - 15:41] Leadership Principles in Action Bias for action in everyday tasks The role of leadership principles in shaping culture Accountability and growth through principle alignment [15:42 - 20:16] Meeting Culture and Efficiency Efficient meeting strategies at Amazon The significance of narratives over slides Streamlining participation to enhance productivity [20:17 - 31:41] Personal Development: Beyond the Professional The intertwining of personal growth with professional success The value of mentorship and giving back Scaling impact through personal and professional avenues Want to connect with Chaim? Follow him on LinkedIn and visit Amazon Web Services (AWS)! Key Quotes: "If you obsess over your customer, they will obsess over you in return." - Chaim Landau "You need to fail because if you don't fail, your experience will not grow." - Chaim Landau Connect with Ptex Group: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn LEAVE A REVIEW + and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to achieve in business. Listen to previous episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts!
190
The Six Essential Traits of a Successful Entrepreneur—with Gino Wickman
The Six Essential Traits of a Successful Entrepreneur—with Gino Wickman
Mar 18, 2024
54:00
Do you want to start an entrepreneurial journey, but you’re doubtful about having the skill set to build a successful business? In this week’s episode, our guest is Gino Wickman, an entrepreneur since the age of 21 who has had an obsession with learning what makes businesses and entrepreneurs thrive. At 25 he took over the family business, which was deeply in debt and in need of help. After turning the company around and running it for seven years, he and his partners successfully sold the company. Gino then set out to help entrepreneurs and leaders get what they want from their businesses. Based on his years of real-world experience, he created the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS), a practical method for helping companies achieve greatness. Gino is devoting time and energy toward helping entrepreneurs-in-the-making get a huge jump-start on taking their entrepreneurial leap, which is why he created Entrepreneurial Leap. The mission of Entrepreneurial Leap is to find all of the entrepreneurs-in-the-making, at any age, wherever they are—to help them realize their purpose and live the life they were born to live. In our interview, Gino discloses how he identified in their family-owned business that systems were needed, which eventually became the EOS system. He also shares how he could identify the real core focus that will drive him to success. He went into detail about the six essential traits of every entrepreneur and what happens if you're missing any of those traits. Most importantly, he provides us with practical tips on how to actually find a mentor and touches on why being patient, but still taking action is key for an entrepreneur. If you think you’re an entrepreneur in the making, this episode is definitely for you! [00:01 - 08:55] Opening Segment Gino Wickman’s background and work His passion for what makes companies great, and entrepreneurs successful His experience creating an operating system The pure evolution and a journey of obsession Make sure to check Entrepreneurial Leap [08:56 - 29:25] Getting The Leadership Team on The Same Page The business mindset before and after EOS The leadership team gets 100% on the same page with a clear vision Getting clear with your core focus Why does the organization exist? What does it do in the world? What motivated Gino going from the EOS to identify the entrepreneur Gino’s definition of what an entrepreneur is The entrepreneurial range [29:26 - 48:48] The Six Essential Traits of a True Entrepreneur Gino breaks down the six essential traits of a try entrepreneur What happens if you know there might be missing one or two of those traits You’re not an entrepreneur. It's all or nothing Understanding the glimpse and what you're good at Paint a vivid picture of what the life of an entrepreneur looks like Gino’s outlook on the point of mentoring Find a mentor who is where you want to be The mentor tracks Take action and be patient [48:49 - 54:51] Closing Segment What Gino could share for entrepreneurs about notetaking in general Learn more about Gino with the Rapid Fire Questions! Connect with Gino Follow him on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Head to Entrepreneurial Leap, find clarity, and create a customized plan with the 1-2-3 Roadmap for your start-up! We’re a passionate bunch. Together, we help your business flourish. Visit: https://ptexgroup.com Let’s Talk Exits! Check out my new podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lets-talk-exits/id1606747718 Connect with Ptex Group: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn LEAVE A REVIEW + and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to achieve in business. Listen to previous episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts! Key Quotes “It's not that you don't have a vision, it's that you don't agree.” - Gino Wickman “If you're someone who is absolutely passionate about entrepreneurship and want to be surrounded by entrepreneurship, but don't have the six essential traits, then, by all means, attach yourself to a true entrepreneur.” - Gino Wickman “There's so much science on the power of writing from a standpoint of retention and creativity and what it does for your brain.” - Gino Wickman
191
HR Takeaways That Your Business Needs Today With Izzy Friedman
HR Takeaways That Your Business Needs Today With Izzy Friedman
Mar 25, 2024
1:06:38
Unless your business is growing fast, you probably haven’t thought seriously about Human Resources. But Izzy Friedman, an expert in HR and Senior Director of Human Resources for MEDRITE Urgent Care, thinks that you’re making a big mistake - and he’s ready to tell you all about the Human Resources issues you need to consider right away, no matter how big or small your business is. Check out Izzy’s conversation with Meny, which addresses HR issues including processes that will help you avoid liability, the correct and incorrect way to interview a potential hire, the difference between company culture and perks, how to encourage employees to become engaged in the company’s success, what to look for when hiring an employee (and the high cost of making the wrong decision), the right and wrong way to do performance reviews, what makes a good HR department tick, and more. [00:01 - 15:18] Transitioning Paths: Sales to HR Izzy's career shift from sales to HR The impact of managerial experience on HR roles Recognizing the value of employee engagement and conflict resolution [15:19 - 30:39] HR Essentials for Business Success The evolution of HR's role in modern businesses Importance of legal compliance and structured processes Employee-centric strategies for enhancing company culture [30:40 - 45:12] Cultivating a Positive Work Environment Implementing effective employee feedback and recognition systems The role of HR in building a supportive and inclusive culture Strategies for consistent employee development and satisfaction [45:13 - 58:02] Performance Management and Growth Discussing the nuances of performance reviews and employee growth Balancing quantitative metrics with qualitative personal development Aligning employee objectives with company goals for mutual growth [58:03 - 01:06:37] Navigating Challenges in HR Addressing the complexities of employee negotiations and terminations The significance of succession planning and organizational resilience Embracing change and fostering adaptability within HR practices Want to connect with Izzy? Follow him on LinkedIn. Key Quotes: "As a business owner the more involved you are in the direct culture will actually give you an advantage to be more involved in the growth of the company in a positive way." - Izzy Friedman "People are holding once you know where your employees are holding is when you can start to make decisions on a corporate level." - Izzy Friedman Connect with Ptex Group: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn LEAVE A REVIEW + and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to achieve in business. Listen to previous episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts!
192
Learn the Magic Words, Become a Sales Master: A Conversation with Phil M. Jones
Learn the Magic Words, Become a Sales Master: A Conversation with Phil M. Jones
Apr 1, 2024
49:12
So many people simply can’t break through and find success in sales; is there any way to help them get better at it? What if there are words, patterns of speech, questions, and phrases that can immediately help anyone become not just adept at sales, but a master? Join Meny as he speaks with Phil M. Jones, author of the bestselling Exactly What to Say: The Magic Words for Influence and Impact and one of the world’s most accomplished sales coaches, for an enlightening conversation about the magic words that can change your life and quickstart your sales success. You’ll learn why sales is the art of making a recommendation, and the process you must follow in order to earn the right to make that recommendation; what are some of the most important questions you can ask in order to move the conversation in the direction you want, and to guarantee a positive response; how to stick to your process when your potential buyer keeps interrupting; methods of instilling curiosity in your client; the importance of slowing the sales process down to get fast results; ways that potential leaders can use communication to actualize their leadership potential; and much more. [00:01 - 10:02] Early Beginnings to Sales Mastery Phil's entrepreneurial spirit from a young age Transition from business ventures to sales expertise Introduction to the concept of "magic words" in sales [10:03 - 20:46] The Art of the Pitch Strategies for effective selling and communication. Importance of understanding customer needs before pitching Case studies illustrating successful sales conversations [20:47 - 30:58] Language as a Tool for Influence Discussion on the power of specific phrases and questions How language can steer conversations and outcomes Phil’s approach to teaching effective communication skills [30:59 - 40:50] Leadership Through Words The role of communication in leadership and team dynamics Techniques for providing feedback and inspiring action Stories of transformative leadership through strategic language use [40:51 - 49:12] Real-world Applications and Closing Thoughts Examples of language's impact in various professional scenarios Phil's personal insights and experiences with communication Final takeaways and the universal applicability of the discussed principles Want to connect with Phil? Follow him on LinkedIn. Head to his website to understand the power of words! Key Quotes: "Selling is earning the right to make a recommendation." - Phil Jones "Success in selling has nothing to do with you. It has everything to do with how you can help people realize that what you have will help them with the problem that matters in their world." - Phil Jones "Understand that you can change your world by changing your words. Everything that leaves your mouth is either helping or hurting." - Phil Jones Connect with Ptex Group: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn LEAVE A REVIEW + and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to achieve in business. Listen to previous episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts!
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Accountability, Inspiration, Passion, and Feedback: Learning About Leadership with Chaim Berkovic
Accountability, Inspiration, Passion, and Feedback: Learning About Leadership with Chaim Berkovic
Apr 8, 2024
49:01
Growing up in Williamsburg, Chaim Berkovic learned the importance of having a vision; years later, as the president and founder of Skyscraper Insurance, he was able to actualize that vision, even though the ways to achieve it were sometimes unclear. In this fascinating conversation, Meny asks Chaim about some of the methods he used to create and grow his business, as well as his strategies for being an effective leader. Listen in as they talk about transmitting passion to employees, how to maintain “brutal accountability” while also creating a positive company culture, the role of inspiration in leadership, what can be learned from failure, why feedback is indispensable, and more. [00:01 - 05:00] The Visionary's Journey Chaim’s transition from early failures to founding Skyscraper Insurance The importance of learning from mistakes and taking calculated risks How personal challenges fueled Chaim’s entrepreneurial spirit [05:01 - 15:00] Risk Management and Client Trust How Skyscraper Insurance approaches risk management differently The significance of understanding client needs and building trust Insights into the complexities of the insurance industry [15:01 - 25:00] Leadership Beyond the Boardroom The role of inspirational leadership in building a successful team Balancing company culture with high performance and accountability Strategies for nurturing a positive, growth-oriented workplace [25:01 - 35:00] Mastering Growth and Scalability Chaim’s perspective on business growth and strategic acquisitions The impact of community and relationship-building in expansion Learning from industry shifts and adapting for scalability [35:01 - 46:08] The Mastermind Effect The benefits of participating in mastermind groups for business leaders How shared knowledge and accountability drive success Chaim’s personal experiences and gains from mastermind involvement Want to connect with Chaim? Follow him on LinkedIn. Head to Skyscraper Insurance for a better tomorrow! Key Quotes: "The biggest risk takers are the ones that know back end the calculated risks behind it." - Chaim Berkovic "If your circle doesn’t inspire you, you’re in the wrong circle." - Chaim Berkowick Connect with Ptex Group: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn LEAVE A REVIEW + and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to achieve in business. Listen to previous episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts! Watch this episode on Youtube https://youtu.be/R9h--lL2ftk Find it on your favorite podcast app: https://ptexgroup.com/ltbpodcast/ Direct link: https://ptexgroup.com/accountability-inspiration-passion-and-feedback-learning-about-leadership-with-chaim-berkovic/ WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/LQcX4QJzavWEKTGAbgK3Gh
194
(Re-Run) The Power of Joy to Transform Your Business—with Barry Shore
(Re-Run) The Power of Joy to Transform Your Business—with Barry Shore
Apr 13, 2024
47:16
Leading a purpose-driven life is now a lot easier to do through the help of the wisdom of Barry Shore from The JOY of Living as he breaks down his acronyms. When you lead a purpose-driven life, you can go MAD—Make A Difference. This is just one of the acronyms guest Barry Shore from The JOY of Living has under his sleeves, helping people live a healthier, wealthier, and wiser life through his memorable wisdom and insights. In this episode, he joins Meny Hoffman to impart some of those with us by breaking down the three fundamentals of life and giving some tips on how to take care of them to live our best lives. Barry also shares with us his story, one that many would have given up on, but still, he managed to overcome. He talks about what caused that mindset shift and how he built and preached it to many. From the personal to the professional aspects of our lives, Barry digs up some great tips and tools about being profitable, overcoming stress, living inspirationally, and more. The Power of Joy to Transform Your Business—with Barry Shore Our guest is Barry Shore also known as the Ambassador of JOY. I’m not going to read the full bio that Barry prepared because I want you to read this episode. This episode is contagious with the amount of positivity and joy shared and much no-nonsense advice on how you could be a better person in your life. Read Barry’s story and how he turned that story into a lifelong mission. Without further ado, here is my interview. Links Mentioned: www.BarryShore.com/free www.BarryShore.com https://www.LinkedIn.com/in/barryshore/ @BarryEShore – Twitter https://www.Facebook.com/groups/joyoflivingclub https://www.Instagram.com/barryeshore/ https://www.YouTube.com/channel/UC-Tn96AXiTFWtyMDGifVSKw Episode Timestamps : 00:00 PTEX Group CEO supports business growth mindset. 04:10 Spreading happiness, purpose-driven life leads to success. 07:18 2020 pandemic will be remembered for years. 10:10 Seven-foot walking wand made by a Zen master. 15:33 Reflecting on past success and mindset shift. 17:51 Barry involved in business and sense of wonder. 19:54 Questioning existential suffering and search for purpose. 23:55 Show interruption to emphasize the shift happens. 28:43 Barry, how can we be more positive? 30:20 Book titled "Joy of Living" promotes positivity. 33:57 Emphasize kindness and wisdom in all interactions. 35:24 Two ways of looking at a situation. 39:43 Don't wiggle toes for 8 seconds. 44:06 Find links in show notes for gifts. 46:44 Closing remarks from Let's Talk Business podcast.
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Bespoke Solutions for Today's Challenges: AI, Automation, and Smart Suite Innovations with Jon Darbyshire
Bespoke Solutions for Today's Challenges: AI, Automation, and Smart Suite Innovations with Jon Darbyshire
May 27, 2024
47:01
Welcome to "Let's Talk Business"! In today's episode, host Meny Hoffman sits down with entrepreneurial guru Jon Darbyshire to delve into the intricacies of software implementation and AI-driven business solutions. Tune in as they explore why so many software projects fail, the pivotal role of AI in transforming everyday tasks, and how Darbyshire's Smart Suite is setting new standards in project management. They also share insights from the startup grind conference, discuss how to vet the best project management systems, and the critical importance of customer feedback and company culture in driving growth and innovation. Plus, get inspired by exclusive stories from Darbyshire's journey, including the successful sale of Archer Technologies. Whether you're a tech enthusiast or a business leader aiming for greater efficiency, this episode offers a wealth of practical advice and forward-thinking strategies. Jon's Links and Etc (smartsuite.com) (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jondarbyshire/) (https://www.youtube.com/@hellosmartsuite) The book that changed my life : Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell. Advice I'll never forget : follow the customer. Topics within this episode : ### 1. Factors Contributing to Software Implementation Failures - Overly simple or complex processes - Need for automation to streamline tasks ### 2. Utilization of AI in Smart Suite - Enhancing user experience and improving client work - Automating content generation, summarization, and management - Creating custom workflows and CRM systems - Enabling data analysis through chatbots and dashboards ### 3. Insights from Startup Grind Conference - AI's potential impact on various industries - Exponential growth and utilization of AI in businesses ### 4. Importance of Using AI for Task Automation - Automating disliked or inefficiently performed tasks - Leveraging AI for improved productivity and time-saving benefits ### 5. Selecting Software and Considering Tech Stack - Importance of the tech stack for younger employees handling day-to-day activities - Vetting the proper system for project management - Understanding available features - Mapping out the process - Utilizing free trials for comparison ### 6. Involving Team in Decision-Making Process - Creating ownership and involvement in chosen systems ### 7. Client Feedback and Product Development - 90% of feature growth from direct client feedback - Public roadmap and customer-inspired development - Building relationships through regular customer meetings - Involving customers in development processes for better outcomes and adoption ### 8. Archer's Referral Program and Hiring Practices - $2,500 offered for referrals leading to hires staying for a year - Assessing cultural fit through lunch meetings with existing team members ### 9. Long-term Versus Short-term Hiring Practices - Prioritizing culture fit and internal referrals - Differences between bootstrapped companies and venture-backed companies ### 10. Archer's Acquisition by EMC - Negotiations with multiple parties - Adjustments due to differences in company culture - Post-acquisition operational and community involvement changes - Archer's culture ultimately prevailing ### 11. Development of Smart Suite - Inspiration from Hoffman's break and startup investments - Need for a single platform to manage various processes and projects - Native integrations with over 6000 products - Eliminating the need for multiple point solutions ### 12. Data Integration and Management Reporting - Solving the problem of disparate point solutions - Importance of accessible and consolidated data for decision-making - User-friendly and collaborative interfaces for younger users ### 13. Use Case and Customer Experience with AI - Rebranding PTAC's group website focusing on UI/UX, coding, and analytics - Significant cost savings and efficiency improvements within 20 days of implementation ### 14. Future Strategic Goals for Smart Suite - Integrating AI in a non-intrusive and understandable way - Simplifying interfaces for general users while adding features for advanced users ### 16. Rapid-fire Questions and Personal Insights - Book recommendation - Memorable advice - Future traveling aspirations ### 17. Hiring Practices at Archer - Hiring individuals with specific experience levels - Focus on consulting backgrounds - Prioritizing employee referrals for cultural compatibility - Balancing hiring top talent with maintaining company culture This sequence encapsulates the primary and sub-topics discussed in this episode, providing a clear and comprehensive understanding of the content. Keywords : software implementation failures, AI in business, automation in tasks, Smart Suite AI, custom workflows, CRM systems, data analysis, startup grind conference, AI impact, employee tech stack, project management system, free software trials, team decision-making, customer feedback, public roadmap, customer-inspired development, recruitment strategies, culture fit, internal referrals, bootstrapped companies, venture-backed companies, acquisition negotiations, Archer Technologies, EMC acquisition, direct-to-consumer product, managing processes, no-code platforms, data integration, user-friendly interfaces, Microsoft Clarity, cost savings and efficiency.
196
How Laughing at These Money Mistakes Made Me Rich with Naftali Horowitz
How Laughing at These Money Mistakes Made Me Rich with Naftali Horowitz
Jun 3, 2024
50:34
Welcome back to another insightful episode of "Let's Talk Business." Today, our hosts Naftali Horowitz and Meny Hoffman dive deep into the intricacies of happiness, satisfaction, and fulfillment. Naftali shares his perspective on why fleeting happiness should take a backseat to the enduring pursuit of meaning and satisfaction. Drawing from his experience as a managing director and financial advisor at JPMorgan and his best-selling book "You Revealed," Naftali emphasizes the importance of living authentically, harnessing unique skills, and practicing gratitude. In this episode, we'll explore essential financial wisdom, such as the importance of budgeting, responsible spending, and understanding investments to avoid risky ventures. We'll also hear Naftali's thoughts on economic cycles, adjusting standards of living, and prioritizing savings for the future. As Naftali and Meny tackle the challenges of modern financial pressures, they provide actionable advice for those living paycheck to paycheck. We'll also illuminate personal development themes, like recognizing one's potential, focusing on self-improvement, and steering clear of futile comparisons. With discussions on self-esteem, the success of "You Revealed," and Naftali's plans for further contributions to self-development, this episode promises to inspire and empower you on your journey toward a fulfilling and responsible life. Tune in now to gain valuable insights into making meaningful changes in your financial and personal life. Links : Buy his book : https://www.artscroll.com/Books/9781422627464.html Episode Timestamps : 05:29 Think twice before spending to avoid regret. 07:19 Choose long-term enjoyment through disciplined financial decisions. 09:44 Save, budget, and plan for financial security. 13:03 Importance of budgeting for understanding expenses and value. 18:07 Stocks yield 6-10% above risk-free treasury. 19:09 Questioning 14% return as less risky than stocks. 25:16 Comparing people is ridiculous; spurs personal growth. 26:48 Focus on your own potential, not others. 31:03 Professional perspective on personal development and growth. 33:18 Do you communicate, keep promises, seek shortcuts? 38:09 Gratitude is vital for happiness and fulfillment. 40:32 Be grateful for what you have, always. 44:19 Book changes lives, inspires self-development and learning. 46:20 The impactful Torah book is challenging yet popular. 50:01 Closing remarks encouraging sharing and subscribing. Practical Pointers Understanding and navigating economic fluctuations are crucial for maintaining financial health. By being aware of these cycles, individuals can make informed decisions about saving, investing, and spending, which can lead to more stable and secure financial outcomes. Early financial planning is key to long-term stability. Initiating savings, investments, and retirement plans at the start of one's career can compound over time, providing a robust financial buffer and enabling greater financial freedom in the future. Achieving financial balance is essential for a satisfying life. It's important to enjoy the present while also ensuring future financial security. This involves making conscious choices about spending and saving, allowing for both immediate enjoyment and long-term financial goals. Breaking free from the paycheck-to-paycheck cycle requires deliberate financial action. By setting goals, reducing unnecessary expenses, and increasing income through various means, individuals can create a more sustainable financial situation that allows for savings and investment. Budgeting is a powerful tool for uncovering financial vulnerabilities and creating opportunities for advancement. By regularly reviewing and adjusting a budget, individuals can identify areas where they can cut back on expenses and redirect funds towards career development or other investments that can lead to increased income. Happiness, satisfaction, fulfillment, purpose, unique skill sets, gratitude, perspective, Naftali Horowitz, Meny Hoffman, Let's Talk Business podcast, personal development, economic cycles, financial advice, responsible spending, budgeting, comparing oneself to others, potential for growth, JPMorgan, Yu Revealed, investment risks, self-esteem, financial planning, retirement savings, reckless spending, fraudulent investment schemes, career advancement, time management, communication skills, self-improvement, book readership, Torah learning
197
From Struggling Salesperson to Top Producer with Eric Lofholm
From Struggling Salesperson to Top Producer with Eric Lofholm
Jun 10, 2024
35:31
Coming to you from the Ptex headquarters in Brooklyn, NY, this podcast is for no-nonsense advice to help you learn, grow, and lead. Today, I’m excited to welcome back my good friend and past speaker of the Let’s Talk Business Conference, Eric Lofholm Eric Lofholm is a Master Sales Trainer who has taught his proven sales systems to thousands of professionals around the world. He is President and CEO of Eric Lofholm International, Inc., an organization he founded to professionally train people on the art and science of selling. Eric has been teaching people how to make more sales since 1999. In today’s insightful discussion, our host Meny Hoffman sits down with master sales trainer Eric Lofholm to delve into the intricacies of achieving sales success. Eric shares his expertise on the pivotal "inner game" of sales, emphasizing the importance of mindset and beliefs in driving performance. From viewing selling as a service to overcoming the fear of rejection, Eric offers practical tips and strategies to elevate your sales game. Tune in as we explore the transformational sales triangle, uncovering the critical roles of mindset, technique, and consistent action. Eric also shares his personal journey from struggling salesperson to top producer, highlighting how proper training and a positive outlook can revolutionize your career. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, salesperson, or sales manager, this episode is packed with valuable insights on goal setting, planning, and the art of closing deals. Join us and learn how to master the inner and outer game of sales, leverage content creation and technology, and most importantly, fall in love with the sales process itself. Get ready for a transformative conversation that will reshape your understanding of sales and set you on the path to success! This and so much more only on the Let’s Talk Business Podcast… Let’s get right to our conversation with Eric Lofholm Links : wwww.saleschampion.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericlofholm https://www.facebook.com/ericlofholm https://www.youtube.com/saleschampion1 https://www.facebook.com/EricLofholmInternational TIMESTAMPS : 05:34 Explore strengths and passion for successful sales. 06:32 Being in sales is universal, skills essential. 11:13 Negative beliefs create roadblocks, especially in sales. 14:51 Prepare presentation with clear desired outcome defined. 18:43 Adapt communication and processes to each client. 21:52 Self-acknowledgment boosts sales success and confidence. 25:09 Transition from salesperson to manager requires different skills. 26:55 Consider compensation, leads, and text marketing efficiency. 30:35 Free goal-setting classes offered twice yearly online. 33:50 Key sales tips: positive mindset, action-based goals. PRACTICAL POINTERS: Eric Lofholm emphasizes the crucial role of maintaining a positive mindset in sales. He suggests the importance of being mindful of your thoughts, advising you to catch and replace negative thoughts with optimistic ones. Focusing on actions rather than outcomes is another key lesson. Lofholm encourages setting action-based goals, such as making a certain number of prospect calls daily, instead of fixating on sales numbers.. Regular and structured planning is vital for sustained success. Eric highlights the importance of conducting mid-year and annual reviews to set and adjust your goals. By using the SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound) framework, you can make your goals clearer and more actionable. Understanding and being flexible in the sales process is essential. Mapping out the stages of your sales process and reviewing them periodically ensures that you stay in control. Effective sales management involves understanding and facilitating your sales team. Knowing what motivates each salesperson and understanding their specific challenges allows you to customize your management approach.
198
Unveiling the Secrets of E-Commerce Finance with Pinchas Engel
Unveiling the Secrets of E-Commerce Finance with Pinchas Engel
Jun 17, 2024
39:52
Welcome to another exciting episode of "Let's Talk Business"! In today's conversation, our host, Meny Hoffman, sits down with Pinchas Engel, founder of Pinnit Bookkeeping, to delve deep into the world of e-commerce and financial management. Pinchas shares invaluable insights on how to stand out in the competitive e-commerce landscape, the pivotal roles of bookkeepers, controllers, and CFOs, and the importance of delegating tasks to elevate your business. From understanding key financial metrics and their impact on profitability to navigating the challenges posed by COVID-19, Pinchas brings a wealth of knowledge to help business owners align their vision, financial strategies, and marketing efforts. Whether you're an early-stage entrepreneur or a seasoned business owner, this episode is packed with practical tips on improving your financial literacy, creating a structured business model, and hiring the right financial support to ensure success. Tune in to learn why understanding your finances is crucial and how you can leverage expert advice to make better decisions and grow your business profitably. Let's talk business with Pinchas Engel! BIO : Pinchas Engel founded Pinit Bookkeeping, a firm dedicated to helping established e-commerce sellers. Pinchas's main mission is to give his clients clear insights into their finances, turning complex data into simple, actionable strategies. With a knack for making numbers make sense, he’s helped many clients boost their profits, making Pinit a trusted place for sellers looking for financial support. LINKS : pinitbookkeeping.com PLEX GROUP: To watch or listen to this episode, visit: https://ptexgroup.com/podcast/struggling-topproducer/ Listen via WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/LQcX4QJzavWEKTGAbgK3Gh For all other episodes or to view all other ways to subscribe, visit https://ptex.co/podcast. TIMESTAMPS : 06:20 Business owners must know key financial metrics. 08:08 Key business metrics: return on investment, profitability. 13:10 High product profit gives room for contingencies. 17:12 New companies need strategy to succeed. 19:31 CFO focuses on future; bookkeeper, controller on past. 21:46 Marketing spends should align with company objectives. 26:33 Outsourcing services for business growth and efficiency. 29:54 Start with pricing, then justify cost. 32:55 Prefers business conversation over transaction categorization stress. 35:46 Create a clear business roadmap for success. 39:34 "Assess skills, seek support, and plan growth." PRACTICAL POINTERS: Identify tasks you are not proficient at or do not enjoy and delegate them to your team. Make a list of tasks to delegate and assign them to team members or outsource as necessary. Implement systems to track and manage inventory and sales data, especially important for e-commerce. Invest in analytics tools and review inventory data weekly to avoid over or under-stocking. For early-stage businesses, consider outsourcing bookkeeping and hiring a fractional CFO to manage finances cost-effectively. Research and engage a bookkeeping service and fractional CFO to ensure professional financial oversight. If you're a business owner, objectively assess your financial skills and seek support where needed. Take a financial literacy course or workshop, and consider consulting a CFO to get a professional audit of your financial strategy. Develop a structured business model and a hiring roadmap that evolves as your company grows. Draft a business model that includes your long-term goals and a phased hiring plan based on projected growth milestones.
199
The Purple Cow, How to Be Remarkable with Seth Godin
The Purple Cow, How to Be Remarkable with Seth Godin
Jun 24, 2024
41:19
This is episode rerun with Seth Godin from Episode 157 In a world that changes at blinding speed, the difference between success and failure is often a question of learning to adapt in a way that will serve your customers. What are some of the most important differences between marketing in the past and marketing in 2023, and how can you utilize these changes to grow your business? Join Meny Hoffman as he asks entrepreneur, best-selling author, world-famous blogger, and marketing guru Seth Godin about why advertising doesn’t work anymore, Seth’s fascinating innovations, the difference between permission marketing and interruption marketing, how to limit your audience in order to grow your business, why being first is overrated, the reason that you should lead your company like a surfer rather than a golfer, ways to integrate AI into your operations, and much more. Seth Godin is an entrepreneur, best-selling author, and speaker. In addition to launching one of the most popular blogs in the world, he has written 21 best-selling books, including The Dip, Linchpin, Purple Cow, Tribes, and What To Do When It's Your Turn (And It's Always Your Turn). His book, This is Marketing, was an instant bestseller in countries around the world. In 2013, Seth was one of just three professionals inducted into the Direct Marketing Hall of Fame, and he was also inducted into the Marketing Hall of Fame as well in 2018. (He might be the only person in both.) Practical Pointers: Embrace the Purple Cow Concept: Seth Godin's idea of the purple cow emphasizes creating products or services that are truly remarkable and stand out in the marketplace. Focus on innovation and uniqueness to capture attention and drive word-of-mouth marketing. Craft Remarkable Experiences: Invest in creating memorable and exceptional customer experiences. This can differentiate your brand and foster loyalty, encouraging repeat business and positive referrals. Leverage Permission-Based Marketing: Build a marketing strategy that prioritizes obtaining permission to communicate with your audience. This approach respects customer privacy and increases the likelihood of engagement and conversion. Cut Through the Marketing Clutter: In a saturated market, it's crucial to develop clear, compelling messages that resonate with your target audience. Use storytelling and emotional connections to make your marketing efforts stand out. Target Specific Audiences with Unique Offerings: Focus on creating products or services tailored to the needs and desires of a specific audience. This targeted approach can lead to higher customer satisfaction and stronger brand loyalty. Timestamps: - Purple Cow by Seth Godin: 00:01:03 - Seth Godin's books: 00:02:21 - Permission Marketing by Seth Godin: 00:08:15 - Phone automation for restaurants in New York City: 00:17:58 - The Long Tail concept: 00:19:06 - The Song of Significance book: 00:20:19 - The Carbon Almanac: 00:26:23 - AI and its impact on businesses: 00:29:45 - The blog of the speaker: 00:34:25 - The Song of Significance: 00:20:19 - The Zen Master story: 00:32:00 - The new Mission Impossible movie: 00:31:45 - AI, electricity, and their impact on the world: 00:30:52 - The Art of Possibility by Ben Zander and Roz Zander: 00:36:23 Key Quotes: “Marketing is telling a true story that resonates with your smallest viable audience that they want to hear, that causes them to take action and to tell their friends.” - Seth Godin “Sales is what happens when we add unscalable human emotion to the marketing equation.” - Seth Godin “Leadership is voluntary. Leadership is about lighting a path forward and seeing who will follow you.” - Seth Godin Connect with Ptex Group: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn LEAVE A REVIEW + and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to achieve in business. Listen to previous episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts!
200
Why Automation is Essential for Business Success with Nathan Weill
Why Automation is Essential for Business Success with Nathan Weill
Jul 1, 2024
46:40
Coming to you from the Ptex headquarters in Brooklyn, NY, this podcast is for no-nonsense advice to help you learn, grow, and lead. Today, I’m excited to be chatting with former Chief Automation Officer of the Ptex Group and good friend Nathan Weill Nathan Weill, a self-identified tech geek, He founded Flow Digital in 2018, providing headache-free automation support so business owners could stop struggling with SaaS tools and repetitive tasks and direct their full energy toward growth. In our interview, I discuss the importance of automation in business processes by identifying repetitive tasks and setting clear objectives. Then Nathan highlight examples of automation for lead generation, internal processes, and follow-up procedures. I also discuss the common misconceptions about automation - such as automation equals job loss, too expensive for small businesses Then we discuss using automation to save time and energy, improve efficiency, and enhance client communication This and so much more only on the let’s talk business podcast… let’s get right to our conversation with Nathan Weill LINKS https://flow.digital https://www.linkedin.com/in/nweill/ https://x.com/NathanWeill PLEX GROUP: To watch or listen to this episode, visit: https://ptexgroup.com/podcast/ Listen via WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/LQcX4QJzavWEKTGAbgK3Gh For all other episodes or to view all other ways to subscribe, visit https://ptex.co/podcast PRACTICAL POINTERS: Identify Repetitive Tasks: Start by listing out all repetitive tasks in your business processes. These are prime candidates for automation and can significantly reduce manual workload. Set Clear Objectives: Define what you aim to achieve with automation, such as reducing errors, saving time, or improving customer satisfaction. Clear goals will guide your automation strategy. Lead Generation: Use tools like chatbots on your website to engage visitors and capture leads automatically. Platforms like HubSpot can automate email campaigns to nurture leads. Choose the Right Tools: Research and select automation tools that align with your business needs. Consider factors like ease of use, integration capabilities, and customer support. Freemium Models: Take advantage of freemium versions of automation tools to get started without a significant upfront investment. Tools like Mailchimp offer free plans for small businesses. TIMESTAMPS : 04:01 Appreciation for team involvement and automation benefits. 07:04 Custom software takes time, but off-the-shelf works. 10:57 Efficient lead management crucial for sales productivity. 15:54 Automate lead tracking, notification, and response oversight. 18:18 Scheduling made simple with shared booking links. 23:26 Automate functions, enhance employee experience, streamline onboarding. 24:33 Automate systems for cost-effective and efficient onboarding. 28:30 Streamlining reporting processes for executives using automation. 33:37 AI drives automation with increased operational relevance. 36:39 Human interaction is important but automation essential. 37:38 Seek Zapier blog for full case study. 43:28 Started without standard procedures, had to catch up. 45:21 Use chatbots and automation tools for lead generation. GUEST BIO : Most businesses lose massive amounts of time and money to routine business tasks and technology struggles. While directing operations at Ptex Group, a New York-based marketing agency, Nathan Weill, a self-identified tech geek, set out to eliminate his own company’s losses by sharpening his SaaS expertise. After winning massive savings and growth for his employer, Nathan made it his mission to bring the same freedom to other businesses. He founded Flow Digital in 2018, providing headache-free automation support so business owners could stop struggling with SaaS tools and direct their full energy toward growth. Ranked as the #1 certified expert worldwide on Zapier's marketplace and certified by Keap, Pipedrive, Airtable, and many other tools, Flow Digital offers workflow, sales, and marketing automation as well as CRM implementation. Nathan and his team save clients around 45,000 hours per month and have generated over $10 million in ROI to date.