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.

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

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!

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!

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

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!

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!

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! 

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!

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!

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!

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!

When you scale your business, becoming a larger organization with multiple employees, you need to stop letting everything run through you - in other words, you need to become a CEO instead of a Founder. Of course, easier said than done - which is why Meny spoke to Business Coach Eric Adelman, who is expert in helping founders transition when their companies grow significantly larger. Together they discuss the basic building blocks needed to make that transition work, and how you can use those building blocks effectively. Learn about delegating, time management, setting goals (and knowing the difference between a goal and a wish), as well as how to create an enjoyable company culture, and why it matters. If you’re ready to make the leap into running a bigger company, this is an episode that you absolutely should not miss.     [00:01 - 07:35] - The Founder to CEO Shift Understanding the need to evolve from hands-on involvement to strategic leadership The importance of building a self-sustaining team Recognizing the right time for this transition   [07:36 - 16:32] - Mastering the Art of Delegation Learning to delegate tasks effectively and understanding the 80% rule Overcoming the challenge of letting go of control Strategies for effective and responsible delegation   [16:33 - 24:14] - Time Management: A Leader's Ally Techniques for managing time efficiently as a leader Importance of intentional scheduling and prioritizing Balancing availability with productivity   [24:15 - 32:05] - Goal Setting: Turning Visions into Reality Adopting the SMART goal framework for actionable results Distinguishing between aspirations and achievable goals Aligning personal and business goals for holistic growth   [32:06 - 42:22] - Cultivating a Thriving Company Culture The impact of a fun and engaging work environment on employee retention Tailoring company culture to match team dynamics Integrating personal development into professional growth     Want to connect with Eric? Follow him on LinkedIn. Head to Bigger Cup Consulting and find out what you could accomplish!     Key Quotes:     "Delegating is not about finding someone who can do it 100% as well as you. It's about finding someone who can do it 80% as well, but gives you the ability to focus on more important tasks." - Eric Adelman   "A great leader is not defined by how much they can do but by how much they can empower others to do." - Eric Adelman       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!

What fuels the fire inside today's most unstoppable entrepreneurs? Join host Meny Hoffman's conversation with the high-energy Ramon Ray. They cover the mental shifts and focused hustle needed to drive positive entrepreneurial momentum - from skillful networking to savvy technology integration. You’ll learn Ramon’s personal tales of professional reinvention, unlocking the secrets behind risks that pay dividends. With wisdom earned from toxic career failure, Ramon ignites the entrepreneurial sky, lighting the way for future business trailblazers.   Ramon Ray is an in-demand motivational speaker and event host, as well as a leading expert on personal branding and small business growth. He is the publisher of ZoneOfGenius.com and BWCDaily.com, and is a serial entrepreneur who has started 5 businesses and sold 3 of them. Ramon founded Celebrity CEO in order to help people build their personal brand, and is known for his high energy and positivity.     [00:01 - 13:47] The Value of Staying Positive & Focused Choosing positivity over negativity helps you handle challenges more effectively Implement morning rituals like devotionals, exercise & healthy eating Successful leaders have tremendous focus and clarity of vision As new tech emerges, understand it before jumping on trends Pay attention as trusted sources validate innovations   [13:48 - 24:56] Branding & Networking Strategically Some founders build personal brands, others prioritize company branding Both approaches are valid depending on your goals Turn to people, smile and introduce yourself Follow up online connections with in-person meetings Build genuine relationships, not just surface-level connections   [24:57 - 33:10] Leveraging Relationships & Technology Leverage relationships over time as opportunities arise Technology is undoubtedly a game-changing force Usage and integration matter more than just acquiring tech Tolerance for risk, persistence, self-motivation, and leadership capability are key   [33:11 - 37:03] Closing Segment Learn about your Zone of Genius and reach out to Ramon using the links Ramon on the rapid four questions   Want to connect with Ramon? Follow him on LinkedIn. Visit https://zoneofgenius.com/ to see how they help small business owners live life fulfilled.     Key Quote:   "If I'm not positive, what does that leave me with? I choose to shut off the light. What's the alternative? Darkness. - Ramon Ray       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!  

What fuels the fire inside today's most unstoppable entrepreneurs? Join host Meny Hoffman's conversation with the high-energy Ramon Ray. They cover the mental shifts and focused hustle needed to drive positive entrepreneurial momentum - from skillful networking to savvy technology integration. You’ll learn Ramon’s personal tales of professional reinvention, unlocking the secrets behind risks that pay dividends. With wisdom earned from toxic career failure, Ramon ignites the entrepreneurial sky, lighting the way for future business trailblazers.   Ramon Ray is an in-demand motivational speaker and event host, as well as a leading expert on personal branding and small business growth. He is the publisher of ZoneOfGenius.com and BWCDaily.com, and is a serial entrepreneur who has started 5 businesses and sold 3 of them. Ramon founded Celebrity CEO in order to help people build their personal brand, and is known for his high energy and positivity.     [00:01 - 13:47] The Value of Staying Positive & Focused Choosing positivity over negativity helps you handle challenges more effectively Implement morning rituals like devotionals, exercise & healthy eating Successful leaders have tremendous focus and clarity of vision As new tech emerges, understand it before jumping on trends Pay attention as trusted sources validate innovations   [13:48 - 24:56] Branding & Networking Strategically Some founders build personal brands, others prioritize company branding Both approaches are valid depending on your goals Turn to people, smile and introduce yourself Follow up online connections with in-person meetings Build genuine relationships, not just surface-level connections   [24:57 - 33:10] Leveraging Relationships & Technology Leverage relationships over time as opportunities arise Technology is undoubtedly a game-changing force Usage and integration matter more than just acquiring tech Tolerance for risk, persistence, self-motivation, and leadership capability are key   [33:11 - 37:03] Closing Segment Learn about your Zone of Genius and reach out to Ramon using the links Ramon on the rapid four questions   Want to connect with Ramon? Follow him on LinkedIn. Visit https://zoneofgenius.com/ to see how they help small business owners live life fulfilled.     Key Quote:   "If I'm not positive, what does that leave me with? I choose to shut off the light. What's the alternative? Darkness. - Ramon Ray       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!  

How can leaders strengthen connections in the workplace and beyond? Host Meny Hoffman interviews leadership consultant Patrick Veroneau about his research-backed CABLES model which provides a metaphorical bridge reinforced by positive interactions. Patrick shares the six relationship CABLES—consistency, appreciation, belongingness, (high-level) listening, empathy, and specifics. Practicing these behaviors adds cables that strengthen trust and engagement. They discuss common leadership pitfalls and how modeling desired behaviors shapes organizational culture more than stated values. Patrick also provides personal development advice on driving happiness in leaders that positively impacts teams.   Patrick Veroneau is a leadership consultant who founded Emery Leadership Group in 2008. With a Master's in Organizational Leadership, he brings over 15 years of experience across various industries. Author of "The Leadership Bridge" and a TEDx speaker, Patrick champions leadership fueled by emotional intelligence and psychological safety. He developed the CABLES model, promoting self-awareness and humanistic behaviors, to steer away from traditional command-and-control approaches. His work includes facilitating workshops and coaching, aiming to enhance engagement and excellence in leadership through the principles outlined in his book.     [00:01 - 14:58] The CABLES Model for Leadership Patrick shares his CABLES model for building strong relationships The 6 key behaviors: consistency, appreciation, belongingness, listening, empathy, specifics Common leadership struggles: listening to respond rather than understand, failing to set clear expectations and hold people accountable   [14:59 - 25:35] Personal Development & Company Culture Leaders need to know themselves before they can be there for others You cannot grow your business without personal growth Company culture starts with leaders modeling desired behaviors Culture = how people behave, not values on website Values allow you to align decisions and behaviors   [25:36 - 30:03] Practical Personal Development The "POWER" model: Praise, Others, Writing, Exercise, Relaxation Based on the 21 day happiness challenge research Writing down 3 things you're grateful for - powerful impact on wellbeing People approach challenges differently when starting from gratitude   [30:04 - 34:19] Closing Segment Just as a physical bridge is built with cables, a leadership bridge is built with the six cables Patrick on the rapid four questions   Want to connect with Patrick? Follow him on LinkedIn & Twitter @coachpatrickv. Learn how the C.A.B.L.E.S. Leadership Academy can help rise above your best at https://www.emeryleadershipgroup.com/.       Key Quotes:   "As leaders, we spend a lot of time trying to think about it in terms of how do we get people to trust us? Trust can go the other way of letting people know, like, I trust you. In terms of your ability to get this done or work through this problem.” - Patrick Veroneau   "The answers to the problems that you're facing right now are within the walls of this organization. For the most part, what happens though, is that people don't get tapped on the shoulder to be asked, how do you think you can solve this?"  - Patrick Veroneau     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!

Social media is a wild west that many business owners eagerly charge into, guns blazing, hoping to strike viral gold. Most find themselves wandering aimlessly, bleeding money and time, while seeing little results. So how do you avoid becoming another casualty?   In this episode, social media expert Louise McDonnell shares her step-by-step system for leveraging social media to drive real results and growth for your business. Learn how to lay the groundwork, define your target audience, optimize your platforms, develop an effective content strategy across pillars like awareness, expert positioning, sales, and advocacy, incorporate paid ads, and continually evaluate performance.   Louise McDonnell, a renowned social media trainer and strategist, has been working in digital marketing since the 1990s. She is the founder of SellOnSocial.Media and has published a best-selling book, the Social Media Content Planner Guide.     (00:00 - 06:54) From Service Marketing to Digital Marketing Pioneer Louise accidentally landed an early ecommerce job in the 1990s, which catalyzed his whole digital marketing career She discovered she has an innate ability to decode complex technical topics and clearly explain the customer benefit in plain language Louise leverages this core skill today in running an agency managing digital campaigns and training others on actionable social media tactics through his academy   (06:55 - 13:16) Categorizing Business Owners' Social Media Approaches Category A involves business owners who are either completely ignoring social media or have tried it sporadically without seeing real results and have given up. Category B refers to those who are actively posting social media content but are still not generating meaningful levels of sales or leads. Category C encapsulates business owners who only want to utilize paid social media ads when they have something new to sell, often without an overall integrated strategy.   (13:17- 00:21:36) 6 Steps to Effectively Leverage Social Media Step 1 involves laying the proper foundations first, including setting smart goals, implementing tracking and analytics, and clearly defining the products and services you offer. Step 2 is all about deeply understanding your target audience through profiling their pain points, desires, motivations, and the terminology that resonates with them. Step 3 focuses on optimizing your website pages, landing pages, and social media platforms to align with your brand, offer clarity around your services, and speak directly to your ideal customer. Step 4 is when you develop an effective social media content strategy across four pillars: awareness, expert positioning, sales, and advocacy. Step 5 is incorporating paid social media ads to amplify your organic reach and social presence at key moments. Step 6 is about continually evaluating your social media activity and campaign performance so you can refine and improve in future efforts.   (23:31 - 34:46) Four Different Content Pillars First, awareness content refers to authentic behind-the-scenes posts aimed at humanizing your brand and connecting on a personal level with your audience. Second, expert content positions your authority and expertise within your niche and offers solutions to common pain points your ideal customers are experiencing. Third, sales content converts that social media following and trust into leads and transactions by promoting offers, events, downloads, consultations, etc. Fourth, advocacy content refers to leveraging external validation like customer testimonials, favorable media coverage, awards, etc. to build credibility.     Resources Mentioned 2023 Social Media Content Planner Outwitting the Devil   Want to connect with Louise? Follow her on Facebook and Instagram and visit her website: https://sellonsocial.media/   Key Quotes:   "If what you’re doing on social media isn’t leading to inquiries, leads, or sales, then you need to rethink it and do something totally different; you need to change up your strategy." - Louise McDonnell   "By truly understanding your ideal customer and their pain points, you can create content that is going to impress them and warm them up to doing business with you." - Louise McDonnell   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!  

What does your company do that your competitors can't or don't do that proves your value to customers?   Marketing expert Gerry O'Brion joins host Menny Hoffman to discuss how small businesses can break through crowded markets using lessons from big brands. In this insightful interview, Gerry explains his "Because Framework" for developing compelling and differentiated messaging that attracts the right customers.   Gerry O'Brion speaks to companies and sales teams looking to drive revenue in crowded industries during times of great change. He teaches an influential yet straightforward framework that prompts customers to choose you over all other options. Gerry is renowned for revealing the “Power of BECAUSE” – the missing element that sparks sales and propels companies beyond the sea of sameness. After years as a marketing and strategy executive building iconic brands like Tide and Coors Light, he leveraged his C-suite experience with billion-dollar companies to create a proven system for influence. Gerry’s framework enables organizations of any size to achieve the gravitas and effectiveness of leading brands through targeted strategies.   (00:00:00 - 00:06:30) Demystifying Big Brand Magic Big budgets help, but small businesses can still succeed through specificity - narrow your focus to serve your ideal customers exceptionally well. Start crafting your marketing message by identifying your ideal customer and their needs using the "Because Framework": Who are you influencing? What are their insights? What's the promise/outcome? What's the proof (your "because")? Your "because" must communicate what makes you different and better suited to delivering on your promise. Generic claims sound like marketing fluff.   (00:06:31 - 00:15:00) Mission vs. Messaging - What Customers Care About Your company's inspirational "why" matters internally but customers care about "what" you do for them and "how" you deliver. You can have multiple "becauses" to use for different audiences and at different points in your sales process. If a competitor chose another provider over you, use that as an opportunity to uncover insights into their decision-making.   (00:15:01 - 00:23:30) Cracking the Code of Hard-to-Reach Prospects An ultra-specific "because" tailored to the mindset of your influencer gave one company immediate access to previously unreachable decision-makers. If you're struggling to break through, you likely need to better understand the person you're trying to influence and what problems they need to be solved. Your "because" must be compelling and unique enough that ideal customers want to engage upon seeing/hearing it.   (00:23:31 - 00:31:30) Packaging Persuasion - Making the Most of Limited Space   For product packaging with limited space, be strategic about the messaging progression and highlight your most compelling "because" first. The "Because Framework" works the same whether you're marketing to consumers, retailers, or distributors - identify who you're influencing and what matters most to them. Highly targeted niche marketing helps small businesses punch above their weight class and appear more credible.   (00:31:31 - 00:39:00) The Power of Precision - Dominating Your Niche   When launching something new with a limited budget, ultra-specificity about who you serve helps you save money and increase conversion rates. Big brands are relentless about listening to customers for insights - small businesses should follow suit. If you lose out on a sale, use it as a learning opportunity to determine if something in your framework needs improvement.   Want to connect with Gerry O'Brion? Follow him on LinkedIn and visit his website: https://whatbigbrandsknow.com/   Key Quotes: "The number one mistake is that we don’t insert the proof and everything we say doesn’t sound compelling." - Gerry O'Brion   "If we make a promise but don't finish that sentence of influence with the proof - the 'because' - everything we say sounds like marketing fluff."- Gerry O'Brion   "Your 'because' statement must deliver the certainty that you will provide what was promised, unlike anyone else." - Gerry O'Brion   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!     

People talk about burnout all the time, but they rarely know what it actually means and how it differs from normal workplace stress. Fortunately, Ana Melikian, Ph.D. has studied burnout extensively, and is ready to tell you what it is, why it matters, how you can prevent it, and the ways to treat it once you have it. Listen to this fascinating episode of Let’s Talk Business as she and Meny go over the symptoms of burnout, specific methods you can use to avoid it, what the potential costs are if you ignore it, and much more. It’s not a typical episode… but it may radically change the way you run your business as well as your life.   Ana Melikian, Ph.D., is a speaker, author, and host of the popular podcast, the MINDSET ZONE. Ana is also a Board Certified Coach and a proud member of the International Coach Federation and the Association of Corporate Executive Coaches. Before moving to the U.S., she obtained her Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Sunderland, taught at Universities in Portugal and Spain, and co-authored several articles and book chapters.     (00:01 - 08:20) Understanding Burnout Burnout is a multidimensional issue, involving exhaustion, cynicism, and a sense of inefficiency It's crucial to distinguish between stress and burnout for effective management Early detection and intervention can prevent the progression to full burnout   (08:21 - 16:00) The Continuum of Engagement Employees can range from fully engaged to overextended, disengaged, or burnt out Recognizing where employees fall on this spectrum is key to addressing their needs Leaders should strive to create conditions that foster full engagement   (16:01 - 24:25) Root Causes and Symptoms of Burnout Burnout can stem from various causes, including workload, lack of control, and misalignment of values Key symptoms include prolonged stress, decreased productivity, and changes in attitude Addressing these root causes is as important as treating the symptoms   (24:26 - 34:18) Prevention Strategies Regular assessments can help identify early signs of burnout Creating a balance in workload and ensuring fairness can mitigate burnout risks Encouraging open communication and periodic check-ins can maintain employee wellbeing   (34:19 - 42:06) Closing Segment Recovery from burnout is possible with professional help and self-care strategies Implementing the PI method (Pause, Increase self-awareness, Embrace experimentation) can aid recovery Breathwork and mindfulness are effective tools for managing stress and preventing burnout     Want to connect with Dr. Ana? Follow her on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Head to her website to impact without burnout!     Key Quotes:   "We can make a bigger impact if we avoid and we prevent burnout, if we take care of ourselves and the people that work for us." - Ana Melikian   "Burnout is a symptom or something that we see in an individual level, the person gets burnout, but usually is the result of some dynamics that are in the background." - Ana Melikian   "We need to create a profitable business while taking care of our workforce." - Ana Melikian       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! 

Your business can grow with SEO - but only if you do it right. On this episode of Let’s Talk Business, SEO expert and Netconcepts Founder Stephan Spencer joins Meny for a deep dive into Search Engine Optimization. Learn how to maximize SEO, what mistakes to avoid, and the ways to make your website SEO-friendly as well as beautiful and useful. Meny and Stephan also discuss the best ways to discover the keywords you need, the reasons that blogs (under a different name) are not going out of style, the importance of turning your audio and video clips into written transcripts, how to determine which firm is most fit to help you with SEO, and much more.   Stephan Spencer is an SEO expert, founder of interactive agency Netconcepts, bestselling author, serial entrepreneur, life hacker, podcaster, and contributor to Harvard Business Review and AdWeek. He's helped optimize the websites of some of the biggest brands in the world, including Chanel, Volvo, Sony, and Zappos. Stephan hosts two podcast shows: Get Yourself Optimized and Marketing Speak.  [00:01 - 08:05] The Essence of SEO and Business Growth SEO as a long-term asset Differences between SEO and pay-per-click The importance of SEO in building sustainable business growth   [08:06 - 16:28] Optimizing Web Presence Strategies for effective web design and SEO integration Balancing user experience with SEO requirements The role of content in enhancing web visibility   [16:29 - 24:16] Evolution of Digital Marketing Shifts in digital marketing strategies Integration of SEO with social media and content marketing The changing landscape of online business presence   [24:17 - 32:56] Selecting the Right SEO Partner Criteria for choosing an SEO agency The pitfalls of poor SEO strategies The importance of results-driven SEO partnerships   [32:57 - 39:49] Closing Segment Stephan's spiritual awakening and its impact on his business approach The intersection of personal development and professional success Leveraging spirituality for better decision-making in business       Want to connect with Stephan? Follow him on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook. Head to StephanSpencer and netconcepts to amplify your mission and message!       Key Quotes:     "SEO is building an asset that continues to pay dividends, unlike pay-per-click where you trade dollars for leads." - Stephan Spencer   "Balancing the user experience with SEO requirements is not just an art; it's a strategic necessity." - Stephan Spencer       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! 

We are communicating all the time, which also means that we’re constantly trying to sell. What are the most important communication skills that will help your potential client hear you and feel heard, thereby helping you close a deal easily and effectively? Join Meny and his guest, communications expert Glenn Milliet, as they explore the science behind personal communication. They discuss the ten commandments of good communication, why communication is a science rather than an art, the importance of body language, the three reasons that salespeople fail, why every conversation needs to end with an offer, the importance of getting confirmation, what to do when your potential client isn’t convinced, and much more.   Glenn Milliet is an international keynote speaker and a Communication, Sales Closing, and Business Building Expert with close to fifty years of experience. He has worked with thousands of global business professionals, from entrepreneurial start-ups to industry giants. He originally honed his skills in communication and branding to build a multi-million-dollar salon operation.     [00:01 - 10:00] The Foundation of Communication • Communication is a science that becomes an art when applied consistently • The importance of listening to understand, not just to respond • Transformative power of effective communication in personal and professional growth   [10:01 - 20:00] The Art of Selling and Closing • Selling is about transferring emotion and understanding the client’s desires • The difference between selling and closing deals • Strategies for effective selling and how to address client needs   [20:01 - 30:00] Building Trust through Communication • The importance of building and maintaining relationships • How trust is the ultimate foundation in both personal and business relationships • The impact of consistency and reliability in communication   [30:01 - 40:00] Understanding Client Needs • Mastering the art of asking the right questions to uncover client needs • The role of empathy in understanding and addressing client concerns • Techniques for ensuring client satisfaction and loyalty   [40:01 - 50:00] The Power of Branding and Positioning • The significance of branding in creating a market perception • How effective communication can enhance brand positioning • Strategies for differentiating your brand in a competitive market     [50:01 - 54:04] Closing Segment • The power of words • Glenn on the fire rapid-questions   Want to connect with Glenn? Email him at [email protected]. Head to Business Communication Expert and start communicating like a Pro!   Key Quotes:     "Success is what I do for me. Significance is what I do for everybody else. Success is an event. Significance is a lifestyle. I choose to live significantly." - Glenn Milliet   "It has been said that communication is an art, and I'm here to tell you it is not. It is a science, and when you understand the science, and you apply it relentlessly, then it becomes an art." - Glenn Milliet    "There is not one aspect of our life where communication is not the most crucial element." - Glenn Milliet   "You are not in business to sell what you want to sell. You are in business to sell what the client wants to buy." - Glenn Milliet     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! 

Everybody knows that company culture is important, but that’s a lot different from actually building a culture that sticks, makes your business better, and gives your employees a sense of mission. How can you build a meaningful and deep-rooted company culture that will also make your business stronger and more successful? Mike Beckham, the co-founder, and CEO of Simple Modern has created one of the most successful drinkware companies on the planet while also fostering a mission-based culture. In this episode of Let’s Talk Business, Meny asks Mike about the secrets of his success, the ways we can all inculcate a positive and productive culture in our companies, what entrepreneurs need to look at when trying to start a company, and much more. Listen and enjoy!   Mike Beckham is the co-founder and CEO of Simple Modern, one of the largest and most successful drinkware companies in the world. He also helped found several e-commerce businesses which have together generated over a billion dollars in revenue and has been involved both in the for-profit and nonprofit sectors.   Key Highlights:   [00:01 - 14:45] Opening Segment • Mike shares his backstory and career path leading up to founding the company - Simple Modern • The importance of a company's mission is something that is often overlooked but is essential in order for it to be successful Mission-driven companies are more beneficial to society than those without a sense of purpose • It is the leader's responsibility to create an environment in which their team can thrive and achieve their goals   [14:46 - 29:44] How to Create a Culture that's Idealistic & Practical • Diversity is good when it comes to having different perspectives and skill sets, but can be unhelpful when values are different • A company with shared values and a shared mission will be stronger than one with diverse values or no values at all Having core values and focusing on a mission helps to create a culture that is self-fulfilling and attracts employees who share those values • Why a company's culture cannot be created without deep convictions from the leader about what they believe in • How Simple Modern uses transparency to attract and retain ton talent   [29:45 - 44:32] Transparent Leaders Build Trust • Transparency is the exercise of allowing other people to see what you're thinking • When you build a culture where both relationally and organizationally, people are transparent, trust is fostered Leaders should be transparent about their weaknesses and get feedback from team members to improve • The mindset for a startup entering a new market is to look at the best players in the space See where players may be white space that they can enter   [44:33 - 1:00:50] Closing Segment • How to create a long-term sustainable competitive advantage • Mike on the rapid-four questions • Q&A: How can I figure out the best way to use the money to maximize its effect on growing my business?   Key Quotes:   "The world doesn't need another water ball company, but the world definitely needs more mission-driven companies." - Mike Beckham   "I want to be in environments that add to my quality of life, where I am working with other people who are trying to be about the same things and are trying to accomplish the same mission." - Mike Beckham   "Great founders and great cultures, start with deep convictions." - Mike Beckham   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! 

Although Joseph Lubeck left home at age 15 with only $400 to his name, he has become one of the world’s most successful real estate investors and is the Chairman and Co-Managing Partner of Electra America, and Founder and Chief Executive Officer of American Landmark.   In this fascinating episode of Let’s Talk Business, Joe lets Meny in on the secrets of his success and the ways that anyone can learn how to wisely invest in the real estate market. Among the topics they discuss are what you need to do to start off in real estate, whether down cycles should be seen as an obstacle or an opportunity, why some successful real estate investors sometimes lose everything (and how to avoid falling into that trap), the biggest mistakes people make in real estate, and much more. He also tells his own story and emphasizes the importance of charity not just as a religious obligation, but also in creating a company culture where people can thrive.    [00:01 - 07:59] Joseph Lubeck's Inspiring Journey to Success • Joseph has overseen the build-out of four successful multifamily portfolios How he got involved in real estate and became COO of an early apartment company • In 1996, Joseph took every penny he had and bought one building in St. Petersburg, Florida • How hard work and giving can lead to success   [08:00 - 16:03] Navigating Real Estate Cycles • American Landmark has 800 full-time employees and 36,000 apartments The value of customers, investors, and team members • Giving till it hurts is important to HaShem • The quote 'Buy when there's blood in the street'   [16:04 - 24:49] Low Leverage Real Estate and Taking Advantage of Opportunities • Why you should be as lowly leveraged as possible • Sleep at night by having good partners rather than lenders • Cycles must be expected and anticipated • Specialty businesses require sophisticated knowledge   [24:50 - 34:30] Tips for Protecting Your Life Savings • Take a job and learn from somebody else before starting on your own Surround yourself with people smarter than you • Start small and use smarts to grow - Make HaShem your partner • Stay under control and don't get involved in bidding wars   [34:31 - 42:55] Closing Segment • Stay under control and don't get involved in bidding wars • Don't go outside your area of expertise • Joseph on the rapid-fire questions     Want to connect with Joseph? Follow him on LinkedIn. Head to American Landmark and create healthy, equitable, and sustainable environments!     Key Quotes:     "Customer service is everything. Giving people a good, affordable, clean, and modern place to live is part of our mantra. It's part of our mission." - Joseph Lubeck   "The less debt you take on, the more you're able to manage through cycles." - Joseph Lubeck   "Surrounding myself with people who are smarter than me and who I learn from is one of the keys in my view to success." - Joseph Lubeck   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! 

Effective leadership is the key to exponential growth, but saying you want to lead isn’t the same as knowing how to do it. To learn some of the secrets of creating leaders who can lead your company into a limitless future, Meny was joined by Thought Leader, High-Performance Coach, and Life & Business Strategist Vamsi Polimetla for a fascinating and eye-opening conversation.    Listen in as they talk about the difference between management and leadership, why mindset and internal alignment need to come before strategy, the importance of making meetings that are more fun than a vacation (seriously!), practical tips on how to think outside the box, what skills you need to look for when you’re building a team, and much more.     [00:01 - 07:30] How to Think Outside the Box and Achieve Genuine Freedom • Leadership is not just about titles or qualifications; it is about who you are being in the moment • It is crucial for leaders to have a growth mindset and focus on their own development first before helping others • 80% of businesses fail within the first five years due to lack of scalability • True leadership involves taking complete ownership of one's life   [07:31 - 14:56] Learn How to Become a Great Leader: Strategies for Entrepreneurs • Leadership is not only about talking the talk but also walking the walk Leadership can be learned, even for those without prior experience in a leadership role • The importance of having an open mindset and auditing your progress regularly • Leaders should remember why they started their business and stay true to that purpose   [14:57 - 23:09] Unlocking the Power of Thinking Out of the Box • Mindset is only one-fourth of internal communication - also need to consider heart set, health set, and soul set • Leaders should bring people based on their attitude and problem-solving skills, not just current skills • Give yourself space and distraction-free time to think out of the box • Ask yourself: if I'm more courageous/loving, what can I do to create more value?   [23:10 - 30:16]The Power of Open Heart Conversations & Challenging the Status Quo • Take time to pause and reflect on yourself, your company, and your team • Have open heart conversations and ask for feedback from everyone Check out the ego and have genuine conversations • Play the game to win instead of playing not to lose   [30:17 - 37:25] The Difference Between Management and Leadership • Bring in the human element into conversations so people feel comfortable speaking up • Operating principles should be consistent in all scenarios and environments Have biweekly, monthly, or quarterly check-ins to review progress • Make meetings meaningful and enjoyable for team members   [30:26 - 40:17] Closing Segment • Know your team member's strengths and interests • Vamsi on the rapid-fire questions     Want to connect with Vamsi? Follow him on LinkedIn. Head to his website and become a leader!     Key Quotes:     "Be the CEO of your life first before you become the CEO of the business and run the organization." - Vamsi Polimetla   "Leadership is all about who you are being in the moment. And it can be designed and developed at any point in life." - Vamsi Polimetla   "Your free time is the most important time that you have, and that is where you get a lot of ideas." - Vamsi Polimetla       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! 

In 2008, Tom Jackobs purchased a personal training facility… and almost went broke in the first six months. He had to learn how to sell - and those skills changed his life forever.   In this engrossing episode of Let’s Talk Business, Meny Hoffman talks to Tom about the secrets of successful selling, including how to see sales as problem solving, at what point you need to keep your mouth shut, how to avoid appearing like (and being) a sleazy salesperson, how to get a prospect to give you a decision at the end of the first meeting, why the questions you ask before your presentation are more important than the presentation itself, the reasons that you are your best salesperson (and what to do about that when you are big enough to have a full sales team), and more.   [00:01 - 09:33] Opening Segment • How Tom grew up disliking sales to becoming a successful salesperson • The negative approach to sales comes from the idea that one person wins and one person loses, creating a zero-sum game • Tom’s approach to sales starts with the mindset shift that salespeople are problem solvers   [09:34 - 20:50] Understanding The Process of Selling • Tom discusses his experience in sales in the fitness industry and why the consultative approach is important • Salespeople should focus on getting a decision from the prospect at the end of the conversation • Treating sales as a process will ensure you’ll consistently close the deal   [20:51 - 24:49] How the Sales Process Can Set You Up for Success • Some extroverts spend too much time on rapport-building • Introverts do better if they stick to the process • As a business owner, you are the primary salesperson in your business Establish a good management process and scripting of the sales process for your team   [24:50 - 30:48] Leveraging the Power of Storytelling • Understand the needs of the client or crowd you're speaking to and address any objections throughout the presentation • Share stories and case studies of past clients, as well as your own personal story • Tailor your presentation to connect the audience to their dream outcome with your product   [30:49 - 36:54] Closing Segment • The sale is made during the questioning or discovery phase • Be comfortable having uncomfortable conversations with your client • Tom on the rapid-fire questions     Want to connect with Tom? Visit TomJackobs.com and follow him on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Get your FREE gift now, Tom’s powerful workbook in creating an impactful story!    Key Quotes:   “If we come across as that needy salesperson or the sleazy salesperson that's pushing something on somebody that's going to turn off most of the population these days. But if we rather approach it as we are problem solvers and our first initial obligation and duty for that prospect is to find out what their problem is.” - Tom Jackobs   “I am a problem solver now, and I have to find a process to sell. And that's the key word is that it's a process. And when you treat it like a process, then you do it the same way each and every time and you'll get the same result, which is the sale at the end of it.” - Tom Jackobs   “There's no reason that a decision should not be made. And oftentimes, I'm giving them the agenda of what's going to happen and at the end of our conversation, we're going to make a decision together, whether this is a good fit for you or not, either is okay, but we do want to make a decision today.” - Tom Jackobs     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!   

Charlie Meaden is a unique individual; whether it’s jewelry making, gaming, or investing, he’s found a way to do it more efficiently - and more profitably - than almost anyone. His dedication to productivity goes even further, as it also guides his investment strategy and his understanding of the underlying currents that affect the economy.    In this episode of Let’s Talk Business, Meny and Charlie discuss his adventures in business, his recent work as the co-founder and CEO of Gembot.ai, his opinions on the future of cryptocurrency, the importance of launching a new product quickly, the difference between busy-ness and effectiveness, and much more.   [00:01 - 07:36] Opening Segment • How Charlie has found ways to be more efficient and profitable in different niches • The importance of productivity early on in Charlie's career • How Charlie was able to use his hourly wage jobs to learn about business and entrepreneurship   [07:37 - 14:27] Maximizing Your Productivity and Effectiveness • Understand where the time is going and where the money is coming from Take a step back to focus on what's important. Do something that you're passionate about. • Create certainty where possible to avoid decision fatigue   [14:28 - 22:14] How One Entrepreneur Found Success in Technology • Leaders should look at the team's productivity to identify waste and ensure they are focusing on the right things • The importance of treating employees like owners and empowering them to get upside • Obsession with technology and gaming led to goldsmithing for money How Charlie built a gaming startup in 30   [22:15 - 30:10] From Gaming to Investing • How one entrepreneur is democratizing access to better investment tools for independent investors • Charlie discusses how he developed a systematic strategy for public equities A platform allows people to become more systematic in their investing and research/execute desired strategies   [30:11 - 37:30] Navigating the Fintech Space • Launching a product in the FinTech space is not easy and requires a lot of trust The biggest mistake founders make is launching too slowly or not quickly enough • When dealing with regulated products, it's essential to get it right as it affects the company's net worth • For investments, one should be aware of the shift in the economy and liquidity in the market   [37:31 - 48:37] Closing Segment • Charlie dives into the mimetic behavior in markets • Expectations and reality when expectations diverge too much • Charlie, on the rapid-fire questions     Want to connect with Charlie? Follow him on LinkedIn. Visit Gembot.ai to level up your investment game!    Key Quotes:     “As a leader, the first thing you got to always ask yourself is, do I need to do something better to get the outcome and the productivity that I desire?” - Charlie Meaden   “Treat everyone like an owner in the business, and then provide everything and continuously ask them, are we doing enough? And then, if that's not working, then that individual might not be right for the company culture.” - Charlie Meaden       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! 

Your company is growing, you’re getting too busy to do everything yourself, and you’re wondering if it’s time to hire a fractional or full-time COO. How do you determine if your company is ready? What do you need to do to get your organization prepared for this big step? What skills does the owner need to make this new arrangement work, and what skills does the COO require to succeed? What are the disadvantages of hiring a manager on a fractional basis? Is hiring a fractional COO just a way to save money, or are there some hidden organizational benefits, too?    Join Meny and Ben Wolf, the founder of Wolf’s Edge Integrators - the largest Fractional COO firm in the world - as they answer these and many other questions. It’s an episode that might permanently change the way you think about upper-level management and the way you integrate executives into your company.     [00:01 - 07:29] How to Prepare for a New Management Structure • Ben introduces Wolf's Edge Integrators, the largest fractional COO firm in the world Check out his book Fractional Leadership • Fractional executive leadership democratizes access to high-caliber talent for companies of all sizes • How technology and COVID have accelerated the use of fractional COOs   [07:30 - 14:27] The Challenge of Making the Mental Jump From Doer to Leader • Having a great leadership team requires having great leaders at the top of the organization • an essential skill for business owners is the readiness to let go and not need to micromanage everything • When hiring C-level executives, it is vital to have the right people in the right seats • Leaders need to make the mental jump from doer to leader to be successful.   [14:28 - 21:18] Creating Clarity for Successful Leadership • Leaders need to create a clear picture of the outcome and provide coaching, metrics, and accountability Avoid jumping in and doing tasks for people rather than coaching them • To decide which role to take, identify which activities give you energy and which ones drain it • When hiring a COO, take time to define the role and other roles in the organization clearly   [21:19 - 28:43] Understanding When to Hire a Fractional COO vs. Full-Time • Understanding the need for a COO and determining if it should be fractional or full-time is key • Fractional CMOs typically give an estimate of how much time their accountabilities will take • Working with recruiters to find the right person and elevating someone internally are other options   [28:44 - 35:50] How to Find the Right Fit for Your Fractional COO Role • CEOs should be clear about the role and measure it using behavioral-based questions The COO should not be a clone of the CEO but bring in different perspectives • Fractional roles can work if you set expectations and measurables are clear • You should avoid helicopter management as it masks people and processes issues   [35:51 - 46:06] Closing Segment • Fractional roles still provide flexibility and availability for emergencies • Ben on the rapid-fire questions     Want to connect with Ben? Follow him on LinkedIn. Head to Wold’s Edge Integrators and let the business run itself!   Key Quotes:     “One key skill is the ability is the readiness to let go and not need to micromanage everything. But it's only a skill that can be implemented when you have the right people in the right seats.” - Ben Wolf   "A good manager leader is able to set up clear measurables and expectations in a meeting cadence with each person or with each team so that they can effectively manage those people or manage those teams on an episodic basis.” - Ben Wolf       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!   

Join us for an informal chat between Ptex CEO Meny Hoffman & Strategist Shlomo Grossman as they debrief and discuss the recent Ptex Group rebrand. Listen to the challenges companies face when rebranding, as well as the important ingredients that make a branding project successful.   Key Highlights:   [00:00 - 02:30] Intro to Episode [02:30 - 05:30] Why Rebrand [05:30 - 06:26] The Next Step [06:26 - 07:56] Market Confusion [07:56 - 12:11] Brand Narrative [12:11 - 16:34] The New Platform (Target Audience, Common Denominator) [16:34 - 19:10] Hero vs Guide     Key Quotes:     “You need to have a brand that you personally are very comfortable with.” - Meny Hoffman   “A great brand becomes the way your salespeople are talking about your brand.” - Meny Hoffman     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!   

Sometimes, we like to imagine that business success can be separated from success in other areas of life. But as Meny Hoffman, host of the Let’s Talk Business Podcast, often says, life is like a car with four wheels: the wheels of spiritual goals, financial goals, health goals, and family goals; if one wheel is flat, the others won’t do much good.   In this conversation with international speaker, bestselling author, business coach, and CEO of Self-Mastery Academy Rabbi Shmuel Reichman, Meny and Shmuel discuss the importance of personal development as a part of business success, the need to create an integrated life, the necessity of having a vision and the ways to divide that vision into bite-size goals, avoiding irrational fears of failure, having partners to whom you can be accountable, and much more.     [00:01 - 07:45] Opening Segment • Introducing Rabbi Shmuel Reichman An international speaker, bestselling author, business coach, and CEO of Self Mastery Academy • Personal development is vital to personal success, family success, and business success • Shmuel's expertise on topics of business, psychology, Jewish thought, and leadership   [07:46 - 22:30] How Self-Development Can Help You Achieve Financial Success • We need to live a blended life, focusing on spiritual goals, financial goals, health goals, and family goals • Personal development is not just about growth but also about balance and long-term success The recipe for success is to understand who you are and tap into your greatness • Success in personal life does not need outside approval   [22:31 - 36:18] A Guide to Self-Development and Personal Growth • Why you need to get a clear sense of your identity and purpose in life People who are stuck need coaching or consulting from someone outside themselves to push them • The importance of building habits and getting accountability from friends or family • The only way to start is to build a mindset and overcome limiting beliefs   [36:19 - 49:35] Mastering Self-Awareness and Building a Shared Vision • Success takes years of hard work and dedication - focus on micro wins and momentum • Self-awareness, confidence, and patience are hard to quantify • Surround yourself with the right types of people and ideas that will help you grow • Mixing family and business is possible if done right   [49:36 - 58:35] Closing Segment • Businesses sometimes fall apart due to different values or visions • The importance of communication, shared values, and understanding each other's concerns • Schnuel on the rapid-fire questions     Connect with Schmuel on LinkedIn and Instagram. Visit his website to think deeper, leave inspired, and achieve the extraordinary!     Key Quotes:     “If you really want to do something with your life, you have to figure out how to support it yourself.” - Shmuel Reichman   “The only way that you're going to get different results in life is if you evolve. If you do what you've always done, you're going to get what you've always gotten.” - Shmuel Reichman   “Your job in life is to figure out what's incredible within you.” - Shmuel Reichman   “The best possible life is where everything is harmoniously building towards a shared vision direction.” - Shmuel Reichman       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!

What if, rather than you serving your business, your business served you? What if you could turn a profit from your very next deposit? And what if you had the power to guarantee that profitability?   In this week’s episode of the Let’s Talk Business podcast, serial entrepreneur and bestselling author Mike Michalowicz shares his simple cash-management solution that helps businesses break the day-to-day struggle for survival and become permanently profitable immediately—no matter their size, industry, or how much debt they carry.    If you’re ready to transform your business from a cash-eating monster to a money-making machine, check out Mike’s interview below!     [00:01 - 07:05] Opening Segment • Mike introduces Profit First, a system that teaches leaders and entrepreneurs how to profit first • How to overcome financial struggles and understand the profit-first methodology • A listener saved $32,000 in an account after hearing Mike's advice • Mike had success from the outside, but his businesses were never profitable, and he lost all his wealth   [07:06 - 13:29] The Profit First Formula: Learn How to Take Profit Without Sacrificing Your Expenses • It's essential to share the struggles of entrepreneurship and not paint a rosy picture The ego needs to be checked to succeed • The Profit First Formula and how it flips the traditional formula of sales minus expenses equals profit • If a business cannot pay its bills, it is telling them that something needs to be fixed   [13:30 - 19:47] Uncovering the Benefits of Profit First • How taking your profits first can help your business succeed • Take a portion of the profit first, use it to reward shareholders, and build cash equity • Working harder is not the solution; working smarter is key • The simplest solution is often the right one.   [19:48 - 25:56] Achieving Financial Growth & Stability Through Niche Specialization • Business owners can double their profits by increasing pricing by 20% • Businesses that take their profit first grow faster than their competition and become more selective about what they spend • Reverse engineer niche specialization to outpace competitors in growth Pay for vacations with cash from vacation account to stay within budget   [25:57 - 31:11] Closing Segment • For personal budgeting, set multiple accounts for intended use and divide money into different outcomes • Mike on the rapid-fire questions         Want to connect with Mike? Follow him on LinkedIn and Instagram. Visit his website to make your journey simple!     Key Quotes:     “Entrepreneurship's not easy, but to make the elements simpler is my mission.” - Mike Michalowicz   “As a small business owner, we all need to realize we are shareholders in our own business.” - Mike Michalowicz   “You can't wait to be profitable to make profit. You have to start making profit today.” - Mike Michalowicz   “We have to realize that our business and our personal lives are intertwined. They are not separate. So we have a big dependency on our business and its income and profitability to support our lifestyle. “ - Mike Michalowicz       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!     

Have you ever gone to a convention and brought home all sorts of swag that you never look at again? Or is there some swag you keep on your desk but hardly remember the name of the company that gave it to you in the first place?    Mark Stern, founder of the Custom Box Agency and TeleportQR and one of Forbes’ Next 1000 Entrepreneurs, argues that there are ways to make memorable swag that will attract and keep customers for the long term - and he’s ready to tell us the secret. In this engrossing episode of Let’s Talk Business, Mark and Meny describe the difference between swag that’s “stuff without a goal” and swag that’s made with intentionality, the ways to bridge the gap between the physical and digital worlds, what lesson we can learn from opening a game of Monopoly, the three stages of the customer lifecycle, and much more.   Before becoming an entrepreneur, Mark was a top-ranked strategy consultant at Deloitte Consulting, the world’s largest consulting firm. Mark is a five-time Spartan Trifecta holder and a South-by-Southwest Start-up Mentor, and lives in Austin, Texas.     [00:00 - 07:12] Opening Segment • Mark introduces Custom Boxed Agency Mark's backstory: launching his business in 2018 • How to use direct mail to marry physical and digital experiences together • How to wow your customers and redefine the American Dream   [07:13 - 13:44] Unlocking the Power of Intentional Swag • Why intentionality is vital when it comes to swag boxes Swag should connect people more to the influencer behind the event/movement • Businesses should focus on providing tools and resources rather than just swag • The power of physical boxes and surprise   [13:45 - 19:54] How to Create a Box Experience That Maximizes Customer Retention • Smaller size boxes are preferred as they are easier to store • Define a clear journey and provide what is needed for the first big hurdle Remove obstacles by providing what is needed in the box • Why design should be tailored to the desired outcome, and step-by-step instructions   [19:55 - 26:22] Employee Retention Through Intentional Box Experiences • Three core phases of the customer lifecycle Acquisition, delivery, and retention • How gifting can be used as a retention play to enhance relationships with clients • Employee retention should involve gamifying the onboarding experience   [26:23 - 33:58] The Magic with Digital and Physical Experiences • Intentionality is vital to fostering a great company culture beyond just perks • How to combine swag, boxes, and retail to amplify your business • How you can leverage QR codes to bridge physical and digital experiences • Consider replayability, recognition, and collectability when selecting swag   [33:59 - 38:45] Closing Segment • Use swag as an amplifier for business offers • How to combine physical and digital elements for retail success • Mark on the rapid four questions       Want to connect with Mark? Follow him on LinkedIn and Facebook. Visit Custom Box Agency to create an experience that leaves your customers wanting more!       Key Quotes:     “I don't think people need more stuff. I think people want outcome as to why they bought the product or service in the first place.” - Mark Stern   “When we think of a box experience, I don't want just to develop a box experience. I want it to be something that you save, something that you keep, something that you reference back and forth.” - Mark Stern     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!   

When Rabbi Steven Burg took over the Aish HaTorah institutions, the organization had accumulated serious debt and was three months behind in payroll. Now, eight years later, Aish has become a massive success story, with new ventures, increasing numbers of students, a bigger budget, and positive cash flow. How did he do it - and what lessons can you learn from his experience in turning Aish and other failing organizations around?   Listen to this episode of Let’s Talk Business as Meny asks Rabbi Burg about his management philosophy, how to hire the right employees, why you need to learn how to delegate, the importance of ignoring the noise, the difference between vision and implementation, how you can revamp your business while simultaneously keeping it open, and more.   Rabbi Steven Burg is the Director General of Aish HaTorah. Before joining this internationally renowned institution, Rabbi Burg held senior leadership roles in other prominent Jewish organizations, with a focus on outreach.      [00:00 - 06:54] Opening Segment • Rabbi Steven held senior leadership roles in prominent Jewish organizations with a focus on outreach • Why Rabbi Steven believes in structure and scaling up for success • An international institution that provides intellectual tools to connect people to Judaism and God • Big organizations are like cruise ships; they take time to turn     [06:55 - 13:12] Transforming a Nonprofit: The Playbook for Turning Around a Sinking Ship • How Rabbi Steven triaged what were the most critical components to move forward Cash flow was the top priority for the first four years • The organization had hundreds of people, and there was no one taking responsibility • How self-funded projects were thrown into the budget without a proper reporting structure     [13:13 - 19:40] Using a Business Tool to Make Decisions • How a nonprofit used an Entrepreneurial Operating System to scale up • Set a 10-year goal to get 3 million Jews studying Jewish wisdom Moving to social media to reach the target market • When hiring, look for humility and the ability to learn from others     [19:41 - 25:37] Finding Inspiration and Success Through Relentlessness • Relentless people are successful and can problem solve • Why delegating is a great skill to have in management • Leaders need to be consistent and repeat their vision often • Create language for employees to help them understand the vision     [25:38 - 34:20] Closing Segment • Ignore the noise and let talented people do what they're good at • Rabbi Steven on the rapid four questions     Want to connect with Rabbi Steven? Follow him on LinkedIn. Visit his Aish Global to live more thoughtful, spiritual, and impactful lives!     Key Quotes:     “You can't stop your business while you're trying to fix your business.” - Rabbi Steven Burg   “Vision without implementation is a delusion.” - Rabbi Steven Burg       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! 

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 their 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!   [00:01 - 07:56] Opening Segment • Introducing Charlie Harary - a business executive, author, and public speaker known internationally The importance of what stops a person from achieving success • Charlie shares his advice on achieving success and happiness • The key to delivering a message effectively is to put yourself in the audience's perspective   [07:57 - 14:59] How to Unlocking Your Potential • How to change your thoughts and bridge the gap between your current life and the life you want • The journey that led Charlie to write the book "Unlocking Greatness" • Changing thoughts to change brains • Understanding how the brain works, how habits work, and how rituals work   [15:00 - 22:12] Understanding Your Mind, Finding Your Soul, and Achieving Happiness • The eulogy exercise is one of the tools used to help readers understand what they are looking for in life • Happiness is about feeling empowered and having a positive perspective on life • Circumstances do not lead to empowerment Having a great perspective can help you feel empowered no matter where you are   [22:13 - 29:51] Gratitude is the Key to Achieving Happiness and Empowerment • Happiness is a perspective and not necessarily dependent on external factors • Gratitude is the most important muscle that we have and helps to build a positive outlook • Success should be measured against oneself, not against others • Everyone has different life scenarios, so the comparison should be avoided   [29:52 - 37:15] Become Your Goals: The Science Behind Creating Good Habits • You don't need an award or the size of a house to feel successful • Every time you have a thought, neurons fire in your brain and create connections • Goals are directions, but you become the goal by embodying it and creating Habits allow you to grow in a way that actually sticks   [37:16 - 44:08] Closing Segment • As you repeat the behavior, it becomes neurologically embedded into your brain Link behaviors to create good habits • Charlie on the rapid-fire questions     Want to connect with Charlie? Follow him on LinkedIn and Instagram. Head to his website and learn how to train your brain to succeed!     Key Quotes:   "The first thing always is to remember, speak for your audience. Don't speak for yourself.” - Charlie Harary   "The more you can limit the things that you expect in your life, the more grateful you'll be for the things that you have." - Charlie Harary   "You never reach your goals. You become your goals." - Charlie Harary     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!

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.)     [00:01 - 07:55] Opening Segment • Give people something they want to talk about and remark on Marketing is not about selling stuff; it's about serving customers • Building a remarkable product is key to successful marketing • Why storytelling plays an important role in marketing   [07:56 - 15:08] How to Cut Through the Clutter with Permission-Based Marketing • Seth stresses what permission-based marketing is • Small businesses should focus on creating a remarkable service rather than competing on price • Marketing should be targeted to a specific market, with an emphasis on the problem they are trying to solve • Creative marketers should avoid Shiny Object Syndrome by sticking to one platform   [15:09 - 23:10] Exploring the Role of Leadership in a Changing World • Going first is way overrated; what matters is that you picked one Showing up and standing for something is key to earning trust and making a change • The connection between marketing and sales is adding human emotion to the equation • Why leadership always defeats management in times of change   [23:11 - 30:54] The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of AI • How business owners can adapt to maximize productivity • Control the present to restore the past vs. dance with the present to invent the future • Younger generation of leaders: technology and Zoom vs. face-to-face interactions • Companies should make decisions that benefit their culture    [30:55 - 38:24] Unlocking the Magic of AI: Practical Advice for Business Owners • How AI can maximize people's work and not replace them • AI is similar to electricity in that it maximizes productivity and changes everything • AI will have speed bumps, but it can be used to discover things • Start with project-based teams and use AI to create value   [38:25 - 41:19] Closing Segment • How Seth decided long ago to post every day • Seth on the rapid four questions     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! 

We often differentiate between business growth and personal growth and emphasize one at the expense of the other. But what if they’re intimately linked?    Join Meny Hoffman and his guest, former president of Cambridge Air Solutions and founder of EncouragingLeaders.com Marc Braun, for a deep dive into the ways that your personal habits affect your business’s health. Along the way they discuss how your physical and mental health impact your ability to lead, ways to awaken your employees’ latent genius, why courage is crucial, the essentials of effective communication, being humble enough to ask for help, the ways to use social media effectively, and more.   Marc Braun is a coach who teaches business leaders how to build cultures of growth in their companies. He served as president of Cambridge Air Solutions—a renowned engineering and manufacturing company revolutionizing HVAC technologies - and quadrupled revenue and increased profitability tenfold during his 13 years at the company.     [00:01 - 08:32] Opening Segment • Leadership growth is the key to business growth How leaders can foster courage and drive business growth • Leaders have the responsibility of growing their company and themselves   [08:33 - 15:57] Unlocking Creative Genius • Separating business growth from personal growth is important for navigating challenges • To address a problem, it is important to look at the behavior of the leader • How creative genius in humans decreases with age due to fear of failure or criticism • Leaders need the courage to take risks and be creative to achieve business growth   [15:58 - 22:59] Finding the Balance Between Emotion and Logic • Why courage is defined as action in the face of fear • Leaders must breathe courage into their teams to help them learn and grow Self-review of habits and systems is important for leaders • Leaders should be humble enough to ask for help when needed   [23:00 - 30:22] How Leaders Can Navigate Social Media & Improve Communication Skills • Leaders need to understand their blind spots and be aware of their emotional intelligence • Communication is difficult and can go awry if emotions are not taken into consideration Why digital communication should not be used for negative emotions or information   [30:23 - 37:37] How to Become a Positive Force for Good by Encouraging Leaders • Social media can be used as a platform for leaders to have a voice, but it should not be abused • Every leader has a public responsibility and must decide where their voice is heard • Leaders struggle with articulating their vision and getting their team aligned with it   [37:38 - 41:38] Closing Segment • A platform that helps organizations build coaching into every leader at every level • Marc on the rapid four questions     Want to connect with Marc? Follow her on LinkedIn. Visit Encouraging Leaders to grow in profit and purpose!   Key Quotes:   “Our job as leaders is to encourage to breathe courage into other human beings.” - Marc Braun   “You do not have to have a certain level of money to find a coach. You have to actually be humble enough to say that you need help.” - Marc Braun     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!

In an arena swarming with hundreds, perhaps thousands, of competitors vying for the same product niche as you, what sets you apart? We don't want to aim for mere survival; it's about rising to the top.   Aaron Cordovez, a top 100 seller on Amazon, has built a brand and is currently selling $75 million worth of products each year. During his journey to success, Aaron went from trying to get a regular job to creating his own product - the lemon squeezer - which became a number-one bestseller on Amazon. In this episode, Aaron talks about his strategies for taking his business to the next level, such as creating additional revenue streams, focusing on customer service, and understanding your customers' needs.   [00:01 - 15:20] How Aaron Found Success as an Entrepreneur Despite Challenges Aaron Cordovez built a brand that has sold over $200 million worth of products on the internet. To build a successful brand, one needs to think about what their product will have that no one else will have and how they can service the customer better than anyone else. Being secretive about your brand or product doesn't guarantee success or safety from competitors.  Brand strength is key to surviving in a saturated market. Build a product so unique and a service so superior that it can't easily be replicated   [15:21 - 29:29] The Fundamentals of Running an Amazon Business The importance of passing on what you have learned to others, particularly in the realm of business and entrepreneurship. Visit https://www.aaroncordovez.com/invest for investment opportunities. Make an impact on your customer by bringing something unique and valuable to the market. Don’t just sell; build a brand; Shift your focus from solely aiming for top sales rankings on Amazon to creating a loyal customer base and building a brand. The only constant in business is change. Businesses must continuously evolve and adapt their strategies to keep up with changes in the market.    [29:30 - 47:02] Creating Brand Confidence Through Interaction and Disruption Marketing Building a brand means moving beyond individual product offerings to serving customers in a more holistic manner.  Before adding new products to the brand, it is essential to understand customer needs and ensure the products can deliver on these needs. Brands need to specialize in specific areas to maintain their credibility and to ensure their products are of high quality.  Maintaining a top seller spot on Amazon requires continual innovation and adaptation. Overly ambitious expansion can lead to significant financial difficulties. Cash flow planning is crucial to managing expansion and avoiding overextension.    [47:03 - 55:32] Closing Segment Constant learning through reading, attending conferences, and networking is key in any business. However, implementing these learnings is equally important. As your team grows, the need for well-established processes and systems becomes crucial.  Want to connect with Aaron? Visit his website and find him on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Twitter.      Key Quotes: “I need to bring money to the table. But how do you bring money to the table? It's actually by bringing value to the marketplace where you're going to be rewarded.” – Aaron Cordovez   “If you can't release a product knowing that it's gonna do a good job, then you can't have much confidence in your brand, and your customer will lose confidence in the brand." – Aaron Cordovez   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!

In an arena swarming with hundreds, perhaps thousands, of competitors vying for the same product niche as you, what sets you apart? We don't want to aim for mere survival; it's about rising to the top.   Aaron Cordovez, a top 100 seller on Amazon, has built a brand and is currently selling $75 million worth of products each year. During his journey to success, Aaron went from trying to get a regular job to creating his own product - the lemon squeezer - which became a number-one bestseller on Amazon. In this episode, Aaron talks about his strategies for taking his business to the next level, such as creating additional revenue streams, focusing on customer service, and understanding your customers' needs.   [00:01 - 15:20] How Aaron Found Success as an Entrepreneur Despite Challenges Aaron Cordovez built a brand that has sold over $200 million worth of products on the internet. To build a successful brand, one needs to think about what their product will have that no one else will have and how they can service the customer better than anyone else. Being secretive about your brand or product doesn't guarantee success or safety from competitors.  Brand strength is key to surviving in a saturated market. Build a product so unique and a service so superior that it can't easily be replicated   [15:21 - 29:29] The Fundamentals of Running an Amazon Business The importance of passing on what you have learned to others, particularly in the realm of business and entrepreneurship. Visit https://www.aaroncordovez.com/invest for investment opportunities. Make an impact on your customer by bringing something unique and valuable to the market. Don’t just sell; build a brand; Shift your focus from solely aiming for top sales rankings on Amazon to creating a loyal customer base and building a brand. The only constant in business is change. Businesses must continuously evolve and adapt their strategies to keep up with changes in the market.    [29:30 - 47:02] Creating Brand Confidence Through Interaction and Disruption Marketing Building a brand means moving beyond individual product offerings to serving customers in a more holistic manner.  Before adding new products to the brand, it is essential to understand customer needs and ensure the products can deliver on these needs. Brands need to specialize in specific areas to maintain their credibility and to ensure their products are of high quality.  Maintaining a top seller spot on Amazon requires continual innovation and adaptation. Overly ambitious expansion can lead to significant financial difficulties. Cash flow planning is crucial to managing expansion and avoiding overextension.    [47:03 - 55:32] Closing Segment Constant learning through reading, attending conferences, and networking is key in any business. However, implementing these learnings is equally important. As your team grows, the need for well-established processes and systems becomes crucial.  Want to connect with Aaron? Visit his website and find him on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Twitter.      Key Quotes: “I need to bring money to the table. But how do you bring money to the table? It's actually by bringing value to the marketplace where you're going to be rewarded.” – Aaron Cordovez   “If you can't release a product knowing that it's gonna do a good job, then you can't have much confidence in your brand, and your customer will lose confidence in the brand." – Aaron Cordovez   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!

Salespeople use so much of their time, money, and energy in trying to find new clients - and so many find that their efforts don’t work, or they fail to find the “hungry fish,” or they get the wrong kind of clients. Fortunately, Meny and entrepreneur, speaker, trainer, advisor, and best-selling author Mitch Axelrod have plenty of practical advice to turn things around, so listen in as they speak about maintaining your existing customers, knowing what questions to ask, radically shifting your self-image, and much more.   A 45-year entrepreneur, speaker, trainer, advisor, and #1 Wall St. Journal, Barnes & Noble, and Amazon best-selling author, Mitch has delivered 3,500 seminars, workshops, keynotes, webinars, executive briefings, and coaching clinics to more than a million people on business, entrepreneurship, sales, leadership, values, and life skills.   [00:01 - 08:12] Opening Segment • How Mitch has helped generate over 3 billion in revenue for thousands of companies • Introducing the New Game of Selling Focusing on long-term relationships and the value of the second sale • How can I serve you from the beginning?   [08:13 - 17:13] How to Identify and Attract Your Ideal Clients • The key is to find the ‘hungry fish’ by asking your best customers why they do business with you • Creating a unique service advantage (USA) Focus on the customer's destination rather than the product/service you are selling • Shift context to understand where buyers are in their buying cycle and meet them there   [17:14 - 25:40] Unlock the Power of Lifetime Value • How to shift your focus from new clients to existing ones • Shift focus from closing a sale to establishing yourself as the trusted advisor • Every person is a gold mine with referrals, testimonials, endorsements, introductions, networking, and joint venturing • When a client favors you with their business, ask them why they chose you and drill down deeply into that conversation   [25:41 - 34:25] How to Build Strategic Business Relationships • Why it is important to build relationships with customers before and after the sale • Stimulus-response is an important concept to understand when engaging with customers • Provide resources, results, and relationships to add value • Maximize the deal instead of compromising   [34:26 - 45:16] Closing Segment • Focus on the business relationship and what the other party will get out of it • Mitch on the rapid four questions   Want to connect with Mitch? Follow him on Facebook & YouTube. Head to the New Game of Selling to learn more about his work!   Key Quotes:     "My model was always backward. It was like, how can I serve you? From the beginning. So the context of the conversation was never about me. My product, my service, it was all about your destination." - Mitch Axelrod   “I believe every one of us, whatever product, service issue or cause we represent, we are in the transportation business, and we are in the transformation business.” - Mitch Axelrod     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!

If, as some people claim, A.I. is going to change the world as much as the introduction of electricity and the electric light, how can you get involved before it’s too late?    Join Meny and Chris Winfield, Founder of Understanding A.I. and CEO of Super Connector Media, for a fascinating conversation that will tell you what you need to know about A.I., the opportunities and threats that it presents, and the way you can start using it today   Chris Winfield is a New York City-based entrepreneur, writer, and coach. Chris aims to help his clients leverage the connections they already have to increase their credibility, authority, and profit. He has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, NBC’s Today Show, ABC News, Fox and Friends, and over 200 other media outlets.   [00:00 - 07:45] Opening Segment • Valuable insight into the emerging world of AI (Artificial Intelligence) AI has been around since the 1950s, but only recently has it become more widely known • There will be two types of companies in the future: those who are great at AI and everyone else • Chat GPT became the fastest-growing app in history, with over 100 million users in two months   [07:46 - 15:43] The Fastest-Growing App in History • AI is still in its early stages, and businesses cannot ignore it, or they risk being left behind • AI can be used for copywriting, customer service, and sales solutions • The impact of AI on businesses and society   [15:44 - 23:22] Exploring the Benefits and Dangers of AI • AI is similar to when electricity came on, creating a whole new economy • Why people who don't adapt to AI will be replaced • Business owners should avoid the "shiny object syndrome" and focus on understanding chatbots • Chris's outlook on executives that have warned of the dangers of AI   [23:23 - 31:08] Creating Avatars & Content with Chatbot Prompts • If used correctly, chatbots can be used to enhance productivity Using multi-shot prompting to get more specific answers from a chatbot • How creating avatars and asking for content examples can help create content • Using chatbots to tweak content based on an audience is beneficial   [31:09 - 42:56] Closing Segment • Utilize research tools to back up your instincts • Chris on the rapid-fire questions   Want to connect with Chris? Follow him on LinkedIn & Instagram. Head to Super Connector Media to leverage your results!   Key Quote:   “You will not be able to ignore AI because your competitors will not be ignoring it. And you do not want them to have an advantage over you. It's just that simple." - Chris Winfield   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!   

Almost every business owner dreams of scaling their company, turning it from a small operation into a multinational corporation. Yoni Mazor, Co-Founder and CGO of GETIDA, actually managed to do it, creating the largest organization in the world dedicated to Amazon FBA auditing with more than 180 employees in 7 countries.    In this episode of Let’s Talk Business, Meny and Yoni have a candid discussion about when it’s time to scale a business, what types of investors you should consider, the importance of creating a company culture that will survive your future growth and more. Yoni also offers some practical tips for Amazon sellers on how to increase their profit margins and get back money that you may have assumed was gone forever. It’s a great conversation that might just change the way you understand scaling, so don’t miss it!    Yoni began developing GETIDA after successfully founding and operating a $20 million yearly Amazon FBA business, selling fashion brands internationally. GETIDA specializes in Amazon discrepancy analytics and consulting. By utilizing data visibility technology, GETIDA focuses on discovering and managing financial and inventory-related discrepancies with tens of billions of daily transactions.    [00:00 - 12:50] Opening Segment • How GETIDA has scaled into the largest organization dedicated to Amazon FBA auditing • How the landscape of the Amazon space has changed drastically over the last 20 years • The challenges facing Amazon sellers in the age of increased competition • Sellers have to be good at all aspects of their business to succeed   [12:51 - 24:52] Maximizing Amazon FBA Reimbursements and Refunds with GETIDA • Amazon provides reimbursement or refund for losses incurred in shipping, storage, and returns • Sellers have to bear the responsibility of reconciling discrepancies • GETIDA's mission is to help sellers get maximum FBA reimbursements and refunds How it is achieving rapid expansion and maintaining its culture   [24:53 - 36:35] The Story of Successful Bootstrapping and Private Equity Investment • Good people with honesty and humility are vital to growing a successful company • People are the foundation of every major empire, politically, business-wise, or financially • Staying focused on one niche instead of becoming a jack-of-all-trades master of none • How to leverage strategic investment and smart money for long-term success   [36:36 - 43:58] Closing Segment • Amazon sellers should reconcile shipments to ensure they receive the retail value and make a profit • Yoni's secret weapon for success • Yoni on the rapid four questions   Want to connect with Yoni? Follow him on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook. Head to GETIDA, improving the overall operations of Amazon FBA sellers!   Key Quotes:   “Our mission today is pretty simple, is just to make sure that Amazon FBA sellers all over the world get the maximum FBA reimbursements and refunds that they're eligible to receive.” - Yoni Mazor   “What counts for a business is not gross revenue is always the bottom line net profit.” - Meny Hoffman   “You want to build a good team around you that can really provide something at a large scale if you have the ambition to go large scale.” - Yoni Mazor   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!   

When you realize that there’s something in the world that only you can do, it will fundamentally change the way you work and the way you live your life. For visionary, speaker, executive coach, and facilitator Rabbi Ezra Max, that realization came in the aftermath of September 11, 2001, when he worked at Ground Zero and barely escaped with his life. Join Meny in this wide-ranging conversation with Rabbi Max about setting goals, accountability, the definition of coaching, how coaching and consulting differ (and why it matters), the importance of celebrating achievement, and much more.    Rabbi Ezra Max is a visionary, speaker, executive coach, and facilitator. He has a wide variety of management experience in healthcare, technology, emergency services, real estate, and community activism, facilitating transformational change. He has lectured and facilitated internationally on issues of communication, goal setting, stress/trauma resilience, sales, parenting, psychological safety, and classroom management.   [00:01 - 13:34] Opening Segment • Ezra shares his personal experience on September 11th, 2001 • How Ezra had a total meltdown and questioned life's purpose Everyone has a unique job to do in the world • Treat each day as if it's your last and live it meaningfully   [13:35 - 26:41] Know What You're Doing and Do It Well • Measure twice, cut once - know the outcome you're aiming for • Post-traumatic stress is an incident, not a disorder • Use moments of inspiration to step up to challenges and gain clarity • How to achieve personal, spiritual, and family development with the help of accountability   [26:42 - 39:17] Unlocking the Difference Between Coaches & Consultants • The two types of coaching - pure coaching and content-based coaching • Communication skills are vital to avoiding dysfunction in teams • How to balance personal and professional growth • There is an epidemic of aloneness in the world post-covid   [39:18 - 45:24] How Giving Can Lead to Incredible Rewards • We should invest in something eternal rather than something momentary • How a coach can help us zoom out of a situation and alleviate tension • Sometimes, it's helpful to give advice to someone else to gain clarity on our own situation • Ezra Focus on four goals: financial, family, spiritual, and health   [45:25 - 53:39] Closing Segment • The need for a conversation about the "epidemic of loneliness" How to help the next generation plug into their source • Ezra on the rapid four questions   Want to connect with Ezra? Follow him on LinkedIn. Head to his website and create meaningful connections!   Key Quotes:   “Every single day should have an impact. We should treat every day as meaningfully as if it's our last.” - Ezra Max   “Opportunity doesn't always look like a million dollars on a civil platter. Opportunity usually looks like a struggle and something uncomfortable.”  - Ezra Max   "We become different as a result of doing; we don't become different just as a result of thinking. We have to think and do to become different. " - Ezra Max   “Our businesses will never grow beyond our personal development.” - Ezra Max   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!

Hiring remote workers offers benefits both to businesses and their employees… and this can also lead to headaches and mistakes in hiring and onboarding.  In this episode of Let’s Talk Business, Anna Shcherbyna, CEO of Remotivate and an expert in helping companies recruit remote management and leadership offers practical advice to ensure that your company doesn’t waste time and money by hiring people who look and sound great - but are actually all wrong for your business. Anna Shcherbyna has over ten years of experience in international Operations and Recruitment for major companies and online businesses. Originally from Ukraine, Anna is currently based in Barcelona and is the CEO of Remotivate - a recruitment agency that helps remote-friendly companies hire top remote Management & Leadership via an affordable done-for-you service.   [00:01 - 07:24] Opening Segment • Anna's experience in international operations and recruiting How to help remote-friendly companies with top remote management and leadership • Masterminds help entrepreneurs learn, grow, and lead by providing valuable and actionable tools • Anna's specialty is helping online business owners hire for leadership and management roles   [07:25 - 14:27] Exploring the Benefits of Remote First Businesses and Intentional Culture Building • Remote work creates freedom to be able to spend time with family and have more balance in life Candidates are more productive, engaged and work more hours • What makes work more intentional, resulting in better results, happier people, and faster growth • The increase in remote job postings and applicants on LinkedIn   [14:28 - 21:16] Practical Advice for Hiring Remote Employees • Interviewing process should include a test project to assess the candidate's capabilities Set clear expectations and make them data-driven and time-specific for onboarding • When hiring, interview at least two or three candidates to compare their skillsets • Avoid making hasty decisions when desperate to hire - assess the candidate properly   [21:17 - 27:45] The Benefits of Multiple Interviews for Hiring Success • Interview multiple candidates to ensure the right fit for your business Have an unbiased opinion from someone else in the recruitment process • Meny breaks down his 3-step interview process • Research the candidate and allow them to research you and your business   [27:46 - 34:30] Tips on Structuring Interviews and Communication with Remote Employees • Structure interviews with different goals in mind • Have regular check-in calls with remote employees Use time tracking to understand how much time is dedicated to different tasks • Why you should hire an operations specialist as a business grows   [34:31 - 38:12] Closing Segment • Start hiring sooner rather than later to avoid working 16-hour days and having a messy team • Anna on the rapid-four questions   Want to connect with Anna? Follow her on LinkedIn. Visit Let’s Remotivate, the simple way to find remote leadership!   Key Quotes:   “People will hire quickly to fill in a problem. But they created just another problem because now they're wasting time and money.” - Anna Shcherbyna   “Remote work creates the freedom to spend your time being more productive, but also having more balance in life.”   - Anna Shcherbyna   "It is not quantity; it's really been about quality." - Anna Shcherbyna   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!

If you have an idea of how to make an existing system much better and more efficient, but the people who run the system slam the door in your face, how can you manage to implement your ideas despite their resistance? In this episode of the Let’s Talk Business Podcast, Eli Beer, the President and Founder of United Hatzalah of Israel, talks to Meny about the origins of his massive organization, why he needed to find a way around existing ambulance services, the reason that he chose not to be the CEO of his own organization, how he was able to grow United Hatzalah into the powerhouse that it is today, the proper way to retain volunteers, and much more. Don’t miss this inspiring, illuminating, and surprising conversation.  Eli Beer is the President and Founder of United Hatzalah of Israel - an independent, non-profit, fully-volunteer emergency medical services organization that provides fast and free emergency medical first response throughout Israel. Eli has been awarded numerous prizes and acknowledgments across the globe for innovative and lifesaving work. [00:01 - 07:34] Opening Segment • Eli shares how he ended up creating the United Hatzalah of Israel An independent nonprofit providing fast and free emergency medical first response • How Eli had an idea to make an existing system more efficient but was met with resistance Being inspired by a bomb attack he experienced as a young boy [07:35 - 15:00] The Story of United Hatzalah • The idea to respond to emergency calls with volunteers and motorcycles How Eli built an underground emergency command center • Volunteers are motivated by the satisfaction of saving someone rather than money • The organization has responded to almost 6 million emergencies since it started [15:01 - 22:14] Achieving a 90-Second Response Time • The vision, challenges, and rewards of United Hatzalah • United Hatzalah uses random people who want to be trained as volunteers • Why CEOs should have an expiration date • Run the organization like a sustainable business [22:15 - 29:39] Treating Donors and Volunteers with Respect • Treating donors and volunteers the same is vital to success • Volunteers are obligated to respond to a minimum amount of emergency calls • Donors get financial and operational transparency • Leaders need to show compassion and empathy when dealing with traumatic situations [29:40 - 36:48] The Incredible Story of United Hu Sela and its 600 Volunteers • Volunteers go through treatments for emotional trauma • Selling donations as a way to learn sales skills Eli's journey of lifesaving and inspiration • Everyone should be involved in doing good in the world [36:49 - 46:36] Closing Segment • Overnight successes are often years in the making • Why Eli realized he wanted United Hatzalah to be less dependent on him • Eli on the apid for questions Want to connect with Eli? Follow him on Instagram and Facebook. Visit his website and check out 90 Seconds: The Epic Story of Eli Beer and United Hatzalah! Key Quotes:  “If you want to really be successful in your life, go work in a non-for-profit for a few years before you start a business.” - Eli Beer “Once you have a volunteer, the more work you give that volunteer, the more committed they are." - Eli Beer “Sometimes you see a story, or you see the end of the story, and you don't realize that every overnight success is years in the making.” - Eli Beer 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! 

Technology has put us in with more people than ever before, but somehow we’re also more isolated and alone. NLP Practitioner, Hypnotist, and Coach Keith Haddrill - who has been performing on stages since he was four years old and has spent a lifetime studying human behavior and interactions - has some fascinating suggestions for how to break down barriers, improve our communication skills, and learn to connect with people on a deep and meaningful level. Join Meny and Keith as they talk about our models of the world, the impact of non-verbal communication, the problem of self-limiting beliefs and how to overcome them, and much more. Keith Haddrill has been an avid student of human behavior and human thought processes his entire life. He is a Certified Master Practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), a Certified Coach, a Certified Master Hypnotist, and a member of Mensa. He has entertained and enlightened thousands of audiences worldwide using world-class ventriloquism, magic, hypnosis, and humor to transform teams for the better in fun and disarming ways. [00:01 - 07:26] Opening Segment • Keith shares his background and story Using Worldclass Oneism, Magic, Hypnosis, and Humor to transform teams for the better • Communication is vital to many things around us. • How to unlock the power of connection in the workplace [07:27 - 15:05] The Human Dynamics of Business • Business is about humans interacting with humans • People realized they were tired of trading their life for dollars They want a sense of belonging, fulfillment, and job satisfaction • How technology is outpacing sociology and leading to increased cases of depression and anxiety [15:06 - 22:35] A Paradigm Shift in Leadership During the Pandemic • People are hungry to be back together but need to learn how to work within workplace conflicts Leaders need to communicate the benefits of being back in the office • How social media has made it difficult to connect with others in person • Each person has a map of reality based on their belief structure and formative experiences [22:36 - 30:12] Understanding Models of the World to Connect with People • Switched the paradigm from “What do I need this person to do for me?” to “How can I serve them?” • Finding commonality is critical to connecting with people and building relationships • How our models of the world can cause damage to communities • Confirmation bias leads us to accept evidence that supports our beliefs [30:13 - 37:53] A Guide to Feeling Heard, Understood, and Appreciated • People will do anything to feel heard, understood, and appreciated • Sometimes, people use excuses to validate why they are not successful • How one can decide to take charge of their life -The twin brothers' story • We tend to find excuses for our failures and not take charge of our own life [37:54 - 45:17] Closing Segment • How you can overcome limiting-beliefs • Keith on the rapid four questions Want to connect with Keith? Head to Keith Haddrill and enrich corporate culture through captivating presentations! Key Quotes: "The better you can connect with other humans, the better you can do in your career and business." - Keith Haddrill  "We teach other people how to treat us; we project our model of the world into the world." - Keith Haddrill  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! 

How do you flip a switch so that your sales call will be welcomed instead of being seen as an annoying interruption? Best-selling author and coach Ron Karr say it’s all about changing your story, asking the right questions, and creating an environment that will appeal to your client’s emotions. Join him and Meny in an episode filled with practical examples to learn more. With his Velocity Mindset methodology, Ron Karr has worked with leaders on six continents to eliminate risk, gain buy-in, and achieve better results faster. His presentations and advisory services have generated over a billion dollars in incremental revenues for his clients. Ron is the author of five books, including Velocity Mindset and the bestselling Lead, Sell, or Get Out of the Way.  [00:01 - 08:02] Opening Segment • How to eliminate risk, gain buy-in, and achieve better results faster • Ron offers excellent tips on how to build high-performance sales cultures • Ron's concept of people calling themselves victims of circumstances The way of leadership [08:03 - 15:34] How to Make Purposeful Sales Calls and Get Better Results Faster • People often become task-oriented instead of purpose-oriented • What you should consider making a successful sales call Qualify the account, decide on the best path forward, and map out the steps • What the goal of the call should be [15:35 - 22:56] Uncovering the Neuroscience Behind Engagement • Exploring cortisol levels and how to create an environment for participation Cortisone (fight or flight hormone), low cortisol (not engaged), and high cortisol (fearful). • Before selling, create an environment for customers to want to participate • Moving from static questions to the conversation and trust building [22:57 - 30:02] Unlocking the Power of Empathy to Influence • How asking questions can create trust and change reactions The importance of creating an emotional connection first • Ask questions to understand the customer’s environment • Discipline needed to ask questions and clarify meanings [30:03 - 37:14] The Power of Self-Reflection with Board Meetings • The five steps to break the sales cycle Prospecting, first impression, qualifying, presenting, and closing • Leaders can use the same techniques to understand what is essential to their employees • Make sure conversations are purpose-driven and not task driven [37:15 - 44:22] Transforming Sales with a New Conversation • Make sure to ask questions to figure out what is going wrong • A copier is nothing more than a communication vehicle From selling one copier to filling in gaps with multiple copiers • Used tenacity to try something new and learn from failures [44:23 - 49:33] Closing Segment • Keynote and field visits helped bring back 8 million in revenue • Ron on the rapid-fire questions Want to connect with Ron? Follow him on LinkedIn. Head to his website to create more value and opportunities while shortening your sales cycle! Key Quotes: "Before you even start selling, you gotta create an environment for people to want to participate with you." - Ron Karr “Tenacity is what helps people move forward, but not tenacity, doing the same thing. It's constantly tweaking to get to the purpose that you're after." - Ron Karr 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!

Has your business reached a plateau, and you’re eager to jump to the next level of success with increased sales? If so, you need to listen to Meny’s interview with fractional sales advisor Eric Balis. Eric and Meny discuss some of the ways to develop a successful sales strategy, the three potential qualities of your product that will lead to sales, investing in the right people for your sales team, how to find the salesperson who will mesh nicely with your company culture, how to make projections that are both ambitious and realistic, and more.  Eric Balis is a fractional sales advisor who helps small to medium-sized companies build a path to increased sales. A noted expert, Eric helps businesses by assessing existing sales teams, strategies, sales & coaching processes, and sales execution and by creating sales infrastructure components and sales leadership. Eric is the Fractional VP of Sales and Founder of Top Tier Sales Advisors. [00:01 - 07:29] Opening Segment • How Eric helps small to medium-sized businesses, increase sales Helping businesses get unstuck and grow by working hands-on with them • Eric's goal is to help businesses hire a sales leader • Revenue is growing, and business is doing well [07:30 - 14:36] Sales Strategies for Growing Revenue and Business Success • The importance of having an impact on the business and the people you work with • Understanding the "why" behind your business is crucial for strategy The sales process vs. selling process distinction • Adding to top-line revenue, decreasing expenses, and improving efficiencies are critical goals for a business [14:37 - 21:22] Setting Realistic Sales Expectations • How a 360 onboarding plan helps set milestones for new hires The first year is an investment year for both the salesperson and owner • How historical data can be used to project revenue plans Metrics and KPIs are essential for tracking progress and making adjustments [21:23 - 28:17] Tips on Hiring the Right Salesperson • Uncomfortableness is a good thing for growth and meeting goals • Sales success requires the right expectations • Hiring the right salesperson requires assessing attitude and aptitude Why is not everyone cut out for sales? [28:18 - 32:14] Closing Segment • Salespeople should maintain a winning attitude and proactively manage highs and lows • Eric on the rapid-four questions Want to connect with Eric? Follow him on LinkedIn. Visit Sales Xceleration to drive sales revenue! Key Quotes: "What you need to do is be a little uncomfortable to get to the next level and meet your goals and exceed them." - Eric Balis "There are two types of people in a company, those who sell and those who support those who sell." - Eric Balis "Rejection is the heart of sales. If you can't take rejection, then be done." - Eric Balis 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! 

What are the secrets to successful fundraising in the nonprofit sector - and can those secrets be translated into advice for business owners in the for-profit world, as well? There are so many misconceptions about fundraising, and the more time passes, the more entrenched these myths become. In this episode of Let’s Talk Business, Meny talks to Moshe Hecht, who has changed the nature of fundraising repeatedly - both as a philanthropic futurist at Charidy.com who helped over 7000 organizations raise almost 3 billion dollars in 7 years, and as co-founder and CEO of HATCH, the world’s first Giving Intelligence Platform. Moshe and Meny dispel some of the misconceptions while offering practical tips that can help you raise money, too - whether you run a charity or a for-profit business. It’s an enlightening conversation, so don’t miss it. Moshe Hecht is the co-founder and CEO of HATCH, the world's first Giving Intelligence Platform. A philanthropic futurist and innovator, Moshe previously built a global team and platform at Charidy.com that helped 6000 organizations raise over 1.8 billion dollars in 7 years. Dedicated to advancing philanthropy through the use of technology, he won the Nonprofit Technology Professional of the Year award, and his articles on the future of giving have been published in Forbes, Guidestar, Nonprofit Pro, Nonprofit Quarterly and eJewishPhilanthropy. [00:01 - 08:21] Opening Segment • Introducing Moshe Hecht, the co-founder, and CEO of Hatch, a giving intelligence platform His experience working at charity.com and helping raise close to $3 billion for charities • How Hecht saw a gap in organizations not monetizing their donor data and founded Hatch to address this issue Helping organizations understand their donors' potential through data analysis [08:22 - 15:42] The Platform Revolutionizing Fundraising and Marketing Efforts for Nonprofits • What allows organizations to prospect for different opportunities and enhance their fundraising and marketing efforts • Where the idea for charity.com came from The prevalence of crowdfunding for small businesses • How charity.com flipped the script on traditional business models [15:43 - 22:43] Building a Successful Platform for Social Giving • Understanding the psychological motivations of donors and creating a sense of urgency How social aspects play a big role in donor motivation • Building a platform for a specific audience is important for success • Emotional connection is important in building products and businesses [22:44 - 30:05] The Importance of Setting Ambitious Goals in Fundraising • Setting goals and helping organizations get the job done is key to sustainability • Belief in oneself is the key to successful fundraising campaigns • Successful fundraisers believe in the urgency of the cause and their capability to make a difference • Fear of failure is a common obstacle for fundraisers, but belief in oneself can overcome it [30:06 - 37:22] Maximizing Your Database • How data can help nonprofits and businesses target their constituents for better results The value of data in targeting and tailoring marketing campaigns • The importance of strong leadership in business success • How targeted campaigns based on public sources and third-party data can increase referral power and donations [37:23 - 45:02] How to Identify Potential Donors • How to communicate better and increase donations for fundraisers • Marketers can use public data to identify potential donors who match their event • Nonprofits are growing based on people's lifestyles and interests • Fundraisers can expand their prospect list by using signals of wealth and capacity [45:03 - 49:06] Closing Segment • Building relationships and cultivating donors over time is critical for fundraisers • Moshe on the rapid four questions Want to connect with Moshe? Follow him on LinkedIn. Head to Hatch, an AI-powered portal for Fundraisers, Marketers, and Volunteers to streamline and Maximize their impact! Key Quotes: “If you can discover the psychological motivations of your audience and if you can build something around those motivations and you can build something successful.” - Moshe Hecht 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!

What are some of the ways you can help your business reach and exceed your best-case scenario and find success well beyond your expectations? Eli Rosenbloom, the founder, and CEO of FR Conversions, has built one of the world’s most successful manufacturers of specialized vehicles. In Part One of Meny’s interview with Eli, they discussed the best way to train employees, the problem with knowing too much before you start, the issue of information sharing, the importance of choosing a specific avatar, and much more. Today, they continue their conversation by discussing mapping out your business, ways to exceed your best-case scenario, the market for new and used cars, the future of self-driving vehicles, maintaining passion once success is assured, and more. Don’t miss it! With over 20 years of experience as an owner and operator, Eli Rosenbaum has executive management experience in emergency pre-hospital care, manufacturing, and software. He got his start as a commercial ambulance operator & EMT and eventually went into vehicle manufacturing while simultaneously developing ERP software for manufacturing and distribution. He is currently the CEO of FR Conversions, the only ambulance manufacturer worldwide that has increased production during Covid. [00:01 - 07:11] Opening Segment • The importance of predictability and mapping out your business for success • How Eli’s ambulance manufacturing company saw significant growth in production and market share • Understand your business and create models for best/worst-case scenarios [07:12 - 13:55] Tips from an Automotive Manufacturing Expert • Why it is essential to model out potential supply chain disruptions • The complexity of the automotive manufacturing industry and the need for accurate inputs The consideration of outside advisors or consultants for a fresh perspective • Stick to what works and avoid distractions with new projects [13:56 - 20:48] Vehicle Prices Won’t Be Going Down Anytime Soon • Vehicle prices are not going down, but there may be additional incentives • How the shortage of new cars is affecting the used car market A three-year gap in inventory will take years to refill • Eli’s insights on self-driving cars and why they are an area of interest [20:49 - 27:30] Changing Lives and Making Mobility Affordable • How liability and regulations are significant obstacles to self-driving cars  • A crucial component for self-driving cars to understand their environment • Why Tesla could fall behind other manufacturers • Big companies investing in self-driving technology may not fully understand the challenges involved [27:31 - 37:19] Closing Segment • How Eli’s mission has changed the industry and touched many lives • Having passion is essential for achieving success in business • Eli on the rapid-fire questions Want to connect with Eli Rosenbloom? Follow him on LinkedIn. Head to FR Conversions to explore the innovative conversion van solutions for everybody!  Key Quotes: “Don’t believe what everybody tells you.” - Eli Rosenbloom “You should know enough about what you’re trying to do to make informed decisions.” - Eli Rosenbloom “If you can’t stand the people you work with, you’re gonna be miserable.” - Eli Rosenbloom 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!

When Eli Rosenbloom noticed that the price of certain specialized vehicles was unusually high, he started to do some research - and soon started to manufacture them himself. The result? His company, FR Conversions, is on the road to becoming the biggest ambulance manufacturer in the United States and potentially the world. Meny Hoffman and Eli talk about the problem of knowing too much before you start, understanding the barrier to entry before you invest, the issue of information sharing, the best way to train employees, the importance of choosing a specific avatar, and much more. With over 20 years of experience as an owner and operator, Eli Rosenbaum has executive management experience in emergency pre-hospital care, manufacturing, and software. He got his start as a commercial ambulance operator & EMT and eventually went into vehicle manufacturing while simultaneously developing ERP software for manufacturing and distribution. He is currently the CEO of FR Conversions, the only ambulance manufacturer worldwide that has increased production during Covid. Key Highlights: [00:01 - 07:18] Opening Segment • Eli’s journey from commercial ambulance operator to van conversion company owner How he has expanded his portfolio and opened several new factories • How to help alleviate logistical problems in manufacturing and distribution • Where the idea for manufacturing wheelchair-accessible vehicles comes from [07:19 - 14:02] The High Cost and Complexity of Building Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles • Wheelchair-accessible vehicles are expensive and were not profitable 20 years ago • Why the complexity of building a mobility van is much greater than building an ambulance • How Eli took apart and rebuilt his van with the help of a fabrication shop • The need for more affordable wheelchair-accessible vehicles [14:03 - 20:55] The Challenges and Successes of Building Customized Vans and Ambulances • Minivans are a small segment with low demand and high cost to produce • Building a car is complicated with thousands of parts, and custom fabrication is expensive The barrier to entry for manufacturing vehicles • Why the target audience for Eli’s vehicles is himself [20:56 - 27:26]From Craigslist to Cohesive Distribution Model for B2B Vehicles • Understanding your client is crucial in B2B and B2C businesses The power dynamic between the customer and the company • Service and maintenance are critical in industries where downtime is not an option • Business models should be based on passion and target customers, not just profitability [27:27 - 34:05] Scaling Up a Unique Manufacturing Business • How labor is the biggest challenge for FR Conversions • Information sharing is a significant challenge as the company scales The need for better systems to handle escalating complexity • How building software has been a secret sauce for managing the process of scaling up [34:06 - 44:51] Closing Segment • Tips on delegation and root cause analysis for business success Delegating authority and responsibility is vital for scaling up • Understand the root cause of problems, not just the surface issue Want to connect with Eli Rosenbloom? Follow him on LinkedIn. Head to FR Conversions to explore the innovative conversion van solutions for everybody!  Key Quotes: “Understand enough about your business that you can keep on making or help make informed decisions..” - Eli Rosenbloom “When you teach people, don’t teach them the what to do; teach them the why. When they bring you problems, don’t attack the problem for what it appears to be; attack it for what’s the root cause.” - Eli Rosenbloom “The right hand never knows what the left hand is doing.” - Eli Rosenbloom 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! 

When you consider growing your business by taking out a major loan, how do you know what risks are worthwhile - and how do you evaluate risk in the first place? What factors are crucial in determining when to invest in real estate and what kind of property you should purchase? Why is it imperative to know your numbers well, and how do you ensure you’re not fooling yourself? These are among the most important questions for any growing business, and Yankie Markowitz, Chief Executive Officer of SBA Loan Group, has a fascinating way of addressing them all. Listen to Meny and Yankie discuss all this and more on this useful and crucial episode of Let’s Talk Business! Yankie Markowitz is the Chief Executive Officer of SBA Loan Group and has helped facilitate over $600 million in real estate transactions and complex deal syndication. He is often sought out by bankers to help structure complex SBA transactions because of his knowledge and unique experience with the U.S. Small Business Administration loan programs. He also serves as a Board Member of C.H.Y.E., a non-profit resource center that helps aspiring entrepreneurs in the area of responsible business development and provides them with the tools and resources that they need to achieve lifelong financial independence.  [00:01 - 07:26] Opening Segment • Understanding SBA loans and how banks pivot to accommodate the market • How Yankie has helped facilitate over 600 million in real estate transactions • How SBA loans are outstanding for small businesses • Banks pivot to accommodate the market and protect themselves [07:27 - 14:22] Small Business Growth • Exploring the benefits of SBA loans • Stimulating the economy by helping small businesses grow • The two primary loan programs that SBA provides • The requirements to qualify for an SBA loan [14:23 - 21:20] Getting the Money You Need • SBA is flexible as long as the bank is willing to take the risk • Banks want to be on the same page with the borrower • How SBA Loan Group educates people on the program • Loans are available for those looking to expand or grow their business [21:21 - 28:11] Making Money Faster • Advice for business owners on taking risks and buying buildings • Success of a business is based on the success of clients • What business owners should consider • The significance of understanding your numbers [28:12 - 35:19] Know Your Numbers to Get the Best Loan Deals • Real estate typically appreciates over time • Owning property can be an investment for a business • Business owners should understand their numbers • The vocabulary of real estate investing [35:20 - 41:48] A Guide for Business Owners • Your numbers are essential to running a successful business • Why you should speak to their accountant at least once a quarter • Be intentional with the goals of the business and set metrics to measure success • Outsource specific tasks, but don't outsource responsibility [41:49 - 48:36] The Power of People, Process, and Product • How SBA Loan Group is helping businesses pivot and succeed • Refinancing can be a great option when rates increase • Having the right team and process in place is critical to success • Attending events and being around like-minded people can be beneficial [48:37 - 1:00:23] Closing Segment • Discovering the power of community • Yankie on the rapid four questions Want to connect with Yankie Markowitz? Follow him on LinkedIn or Instagram. Visit SBA Loan Group, one of the most reputable packagers of government-guaranteed small business loans to business owners. Key Quotes: “We're not interested in wasting time. If we waste time, we're losing money. The faster we can get the deal done, the more money we make.” - Yankie Markowitz “Real estate appreciates no matter what.” - Yankie Markowitz “Knowing your numbers will tell you what your business is doing." - Yankie Markowitz 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!