Recent Updates
1136: Epique Realty: Understand Buyer Needs, Real Estate Technology, And the Value of Authenticity with North Idaho Real Estate Agent Jeff Halligan
How can real estate agents succeed in this dynamic landscape while maintaining authenticity? In today's real estate market, traditional tactics like cold calling are challenged by evolving consumer preferences and technological advancements. Agents now face the dual challenge of standing out in a crowded field while avoiding pushy sales techniques that often repel potential clients. The key to success will be using unconventional approaches to building genuine client relationships, leveraging technology, and personalizing outreach.
Jeff Halligan is a dedicated real estate professional with Epique Realty, serving the greater Sandpoint and Bonner County areas of North Idaho. With 30 years of experience, he has reimagined the real estate industry, bringing a multifaceted approach that includes online presence development, ecommerce, and digital marketing. Today, Jeff discusses his unique strategies for disrupting the real estate market, including leveraging technology to move away from traditional tactics like cold calling and door-knocking, and instead focusing on building relationships and personalized outreach to connect with potential clients.
Quotes
“If your headline works, they open the email. The subject line’s only job is to get them to open it. So if they open it, that's working. If they do whatever you're asking in the email, then the content works. Whether I get a yes or no, I don't care, as long as I get a response—then I know the email worked.” – Jeff Halligan
"I think a lot of authenticity is more about being accurate. I don't try to make sure I include it intentionally; I just include what's natural for me." – Jeff Halligan
“Take everything everyone’s telling you to do, throw it in the garbage, and just be yourself.” – Jeff Halligan
Takeaways
02:51 Leveraging technology and personalized outreach can disrupt traditional real estate tactics like cold calling and door-knocking.
14:09 Building genuine relationships with potential clients, rather than just focusing on transactions, is key to building trust and long-term success in real estate.
22:35 Understanding the unique characteristics and lifestyle offerings of a local real estate market, such as outdoor activities and amenities, can help identify the right fit for buyers.
26:23 Adapting to industry changes, like new regulations around buyer commissions, requires an open and proactive mindset to identify opportunities.
32:09 Being authentic and true to oneself in sales and marketing, rather than following conventional advice, can lead to better results.
Resources
- Jeff Halligan: In Real Estate the Strongest Foundation Isn't Concrete. It's the Trust You Build With Your Clients and Counterparts.
- Jeff Halligan on Facebook
- Jeff Halligan on LinkedIn
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 34:36 — 47.7MB) | Embed
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1135: Principles-Based Leadership and the Future of Work with CEO at D’Artagnan Advisors Doug Kirkpatrick
The workplace is changing. Picture a business where creativity thrives, old hierarchies disappear, and employees lead without a boss. This is the future of work—self-managed organizations that aim to increase productivity and human satisfaction. This shift not only transforms the way work is done but also redefines the employee-employer relationship, making it more collaborative and less hierarchical.
Doug Kirkpatrick is an organizational change consultant, TEDx speaker, executive coach, author of books "The No-Limits Enterprise,""8 Ways to Ditch Dogma" & "Beyond Empowerment," and educator who shares innovative strategies for self-management in the workplace on organizational change and the future of work. He discusses the importance of organizing around core principles, natural leadership's power, and commitment-keeping's significance. His expertise lies in creating organizations that are as creative and adaptable as those within them. Tune in to discover how to embrace the future of work and thrive in a rapidly changing world.
Quotes
“My focus and passion is to create organizations that are as creative and adaptable as the people who work inside them. Being creative is one of the deepest human longings, equivalent to seeking food, water, and oxygen.” – Doug Kirkpatrick
"The only real metric of leadership is whether or not one has followers. If one earns the mantle of leadership by demonstrating a vision, courage, deep ethics, and caring, great things happen." – Doug Kirkpatrick
“People are responsible for everything that enters their scope of awareness. If I see it, I own it. It's not okay to ignore things that come into one’s scope of awareness.” – Doug Kirkpatrick
Takeaways
01:23 Embracing self-management principles can foster creativity and adaptability in organizations, moving away from traditional top-down management.
09:34 Organizing a business around clear, foundational principles, such as not using force and keeping commitments, can promote simple yet intelligent behavior.
16:49 In a self-managed enterprise, natural leadership, impeccable commitment-keeping, and peer-to-peer accountability are crucial for success.
26:18 Emerging technologies are enabling new communication and decision-making processes that can reduce bureaucracy and increase autonomy in the workplace.
31:01 Philosophical perspectives on finding meaning and courage in life can provide valuable insights for leaders and organizations.
Resources
- Doug Kirkpatrick: A blog about the future of work.
- Doug Kirkpatrick on LinkedIn
- Books by Doug Kirkpatrick on Amazon
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 33:43 — 46.5MB) | Embed
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1134: Grow Your Investment Business through Podcast Guesting, SEO, and Brand Recognition with Podcasting You Founder Trevor Oldham
Imagine being able to share your knowledge with thousands of listeners, build trust, and get new clients for your business—all from your home office. Podcast guesting is the secret weapon that smart business people use to boost their brands. Today, where content is very important, podcasts let you reach interested audiences, and being a guest on the right shows can transform your business trajectory.
Trevor Oldham is the founder of Podcasting You. Today, he shares expert insights on leveraging podcast guesting for business growth on alternative investments. He discusses the importance of choosing the right podcasts, the benefits of consistent podcast guesting, and the critical role of having a well-designed website to capture leads. Tune in to discover how podcast guesting can enhance your brand recognition, generate quality leads, and establish credibility in your industry.
Quotes
“It's not worth it to work with clients that are unpleasant to deal with; I'd rather make a little less money but work with clients I enjoy.” – Trevor Oldham
"The number one reason people like to go on podcasts is to generate leads. Outside of that, you get brand awareness, brand recognition, and the networking aspect of meeting other podcast hosts." – Trevor Oldham
“When you're doing an interview, make sure you're in a quiet place. A good quality podcast microphone is essential because you want the sound quality to be good for both you and the host.” – Trevor Oldham
Takeaways
01:05 Podcast guesting can be an effective strategy for alternative investment companies to build brand recognition and generate leads.
04:08 Ensuring a professional online presence, with clear contact information and a way for interested listeners to connect, is important to capitalize on podcast appearances.
14:01 Choosing the right podcasts to appear on is crucial, as going on shows that don't align with the target audience can be a waste of time.
18:41 Expanding into new alternative investment niches, while staying connected to the core expertise, can help a business grow and diversify.
23:54 Being willing to "fire" clients that are not a good fit can significantly reduce stress and improve the overall work experience.
Resources
- Podcasting You: Podcast Booking Agency That Helps Alternative Investment Companies.
- Podcasting You on Facebook
- Trevor Oldham on LinkedIn
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 27:34 — 38.0MB) | Embed
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1133: Hire Remote Talent: Transform Your Business Operations with Zabota Founder Benjamin Moróne
Struggling to scale your business while being overwhelmed with day-to-day operations is a common issue for many entrepreneurs. Feeling trapped in a cycle of reactive management can make it difficult to focus on strategic growth. This constant firefighting can leave you exhausted and unable to see the bigger picture. The challenge is balancing immediate demands with long-term planning, which can feel nearly impossible at times.
Benjamin Moróne is the founder of Zabota, a game-changing remote staffing company. With a keen eye for talent and a passion for connecting businesses with skilled professionals, Benjamin helps overwhelmed entrepreneurs transform their operations. His expertise lies in sourcing top-tier remote talent from Central and Eastern Europe and Latin America, focusing on executive assistants and project managers who can systematize and scale businesses. Today, Benjamin discusses the power of hiring skilled remote talent, common pain points for small business owners, and success stories of businesses. Stay tuned!
Quotes
“If we can find someone who already has the skills that you want, instead of thinking, ‘Okay, I need to build this person's skills,’ you're going to be more successful with that hire.” – Benjamin Moróne
"Move with the same intensity in the recruitment process, as you would a sales process." – Benjamin Moróne
“If you don't have complete vision and control of everything in the company when you're first starting, you're just not going to be able to scale it to that next level.” – Benjamin Moróne
Takeaways
01:19 Hiring reliable, trustworthy, and skilled remote workers, particularly executive assistants and project managers, can transform a business by enabling effective delegation and systematization.
05:31 Hiring from specific regions, such as Central and Eastern Europe and Latin America, can provide cost-effective solutions while also leveraging time zone advantages and language proficiency.
15:34 Implementing a well-structured onboarding process is crucial for new hires' success, as it can turn an 85% hire into an A player.
20:10 Maintaining a clear and efficient recruitment process, with set timelines for communication and decision-making, can improve the hiring experience and reduce churn.
22:57 Focusing on key inputs and metrics, rather than just outputs, is essential for scalable business growth and maintaining complete control and visibility over the company's operations.
Resources
- Zabota: Hire Pre-Vetted Executive Assistants, Developers, & Project Managers.
- Benjamin Moróne on Facebook
- Benjamin Moróne on LinkedIn
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 26:44 — 36.9MB) | Embed
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1132: Texas State Optical: Optometry Practice, Consumer Focus, and Intentional Planning with President and CEO John Marvin
Are you struggling to connect with your customers and keep up with industry changes? As an optometrist, have you been overwhelmed by the business side of running your practice? Many businesses tend to focus on pleasing suppliers and third-party payers while neglecting the end consumer. However, it's crucial to remember that everything starts and ends with the consumer. This shortsightedness leaves industries vulnerable to outsiders willing to listen and respond to customer frustrations. In an age where consumer preferences and technologies are constantly shifting, can your business afford to remain static?
John Marvin is the president and CEO of Texas State Optical, the largest doctor-owned private practice organization in the United States. He has a background in brand management, marketing, and helping young optometrists open their own practices. Today, John shares insights on how he transitioned from the advertising and pharmaceutical industries into the optometry field, leveraging his expertise in consumer research and brand management to position Texas State Optical for growth. He emphasizes the importance of listening to customers and being intentional about planning for the future, whether as an optometrist or small business owner.
Quotes
“Everything starts and ends with the consumer. Businesses that don't pay attention to the consumer eventually find themselves displaced, and their industries disrupted by others who are listening to them.” – John Marvin
"If you're not intentional about managing your practice as an optometrist or your small business as an owner, you won't really know where you're going. Without that intention, you'll end up on any road and won't know where you'll end up. But you can take control of that. You can be intentional and plan the future you want for yourself." – John Marvin
“If you continue without innovation, without trying to improve and align with consumer preferences, then it's a managed decline. That's all that's left as an opportunity. Private practice healthcare is changing.” – John Marvin
Takeaways
08:13 Transferring skills and leveraging relationships can open up new job opportunities, even in unrelated industries.
10:42 Focusing on understanding consumer needs and desires is crucial for positioning a brand and business for success.
12:54 Disrupting an industry often requires identifying and addressing consumer frustrations that the established players are overlooking.
23:56 Conducting regular, simple market research can provide valuable insights to improve a business and better serve customers.
29:37 Being intentional about planning for the future is key to avoiding a "managed decline" and maintaining a competitive edge.
Resources
- Texas State Optical: Maximize NEW Vision Benefits. Get MORE from what you have!
- John Marvin on LinkedIn
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 31:34 — 43.5MB) | Embed
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1131: Rainmakers: Relationship Management, CRM, and AI to Transform Legal Business Development with Sales Expert Shavon Jones
For lawyers, entrepreneurs, and business professionals, building meaningful connections is critical for success. Especially in law, where trust and reputation are crucial, good relationship management can differentiate a successful practice from a failing one. So, the question is, how can lawyers, who are known for their analytical thinking and busy schedules, improve in this important skill?
Shavon Jones is an award-winning attorney with extensive experience in business development, and author of the book, 52 Sales Tips & How to Use Them. Shavon specializes in relationship management, CRM, and AI integration. Today, Shavon will talk about forming, nurturing, and deploying business relationships effectively. She will also discuss the importance of leveraging technology and AI to stay ahead in the legal profession.
Quotes
“If you position yourself well on LinkedIn and in legal organizations, people will come to you. The best relationships come from your natural interests and passions.” – Shavon Jones
"Find your personal True North and follow that because that's where your success and joy are going to lie." – Shavon Jones
“Be less combative and more solution-oriented; it's something that will lead to clients having a better view of us.” – Shavon Jones
Takeaways
03:03 Lawyers need to overcome discomfort with self-promotion and embrace business development strategies to grow their practices.
07:08 Centralizing and nurturing relationships through a CRM system is crucial for maintaining consistent business results.
12:53 Leveraging AI and technology can help lawyers stay ahead but requires careful consideration of ethical implications and maintaining a human touch.
23:09 Adopting a more solution-oriented, less combative mindset can improve client relationships and lead to better outcomes for lawyers.
28:57 Finding one's personal passion and purpose is key to achieving success and joy in business development.
Resources
- Sales for Lawyers: Convert Relationships into Revenues
- Shavon Jones on LinkedIn
- 52 Sales Tips & How to Use Them by Shavon Jones on Amazon
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 31:15 — 43.1MB) | Embed
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1130: School of Podcasting: The Secret to Podcast Success with Podcast Consultant Dave Jackson
Growing a podcast and fostering a meaningful connection with listeners can be a challenging journey. It's natural to feel unsure about how to consistently deliver value and keep your audience engaged. Finding your unique voice, understanding what resonates with your listeners, and consistently delivering quality content are key to building a loyal audience. It takes time and experimentation to refine your approach and create content that genuinely connects with your audience.
Dave Jackson is the world's top podcasting educator, helping hundreds of podcasters solve the problem of growing and monetizing their shows, and author of the book, Profit from Your Podcast: Proven Strategies to Turn Listeners into a Livelihood. As the founder of School of Podcasting, he has taught thousands how to consistently create engaging content, identify their target audience, and promote their podcast to build a loyal following. Today, Dave discusses how podcasters can build an audience through consistency, providing value to listeners, overcoming obstacles like self-doubt, and promoting their show through guest appearances and newsletters. Stay tuned!
Quotes
“You don't have to be great to start, but you do have to start to be great.” – Dave Jackson
"Just be yourself, put the information out there. It takes a little bit of time to get comfortable behind the mic." – Dave Jackson
“It's great to have a consistent schedule, because that leads to becoming part of the routine. But you also have to have consistency and value.” – Dave Jackson
Takeaways
03:00 Consistency and providing value are key to building a successful podcast audience.
03:41 Understanding your target audience and aligning your content with their needs is crucial for podcast growth.
17:59 Collecting positive feedback from listeners can help motivate you through challenging times in podcasting.
20:45 Focus on creating high-quality content first, before worrying about production value or technical details.
30:05 Actively promoting your podcast through guest appearances, newsletters, and encouraging listeners to share can significantly grow your audience.
Resources
- School of Podcasting: Plan. Launch. Grow.
- Dave Jackson on Facebook
- Dave Jackson on LinkedIn
- Profit from Your Podcast: Proven Strategies to Turn Listeners into a Livelihood by Dave Jackson on Amazon
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 39:42 — 54.7MB) | Embed
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1129: Pitch Perfect: Turn Technical Topics into Memorable Stories with Renowned Pitch Alchemist Donna Griffit
Do you struggle to come up with appealing tales and messaging for your startup? Discover the power of storytelling! Frequently, entrepreneurs prioritize technicalities over the emotional connection required to create significant outcomes. But with a simple structure, you could transform your dull risk assessments or sales figures into captivating storytelling that kept investors on the edge of their seats.
Donna Griffit is a renowned corporate storyteller and pitch alchemist with over 20 years of experience working with Fortune 500 organizations, startups, and investors in 30 countries, and author of the book, Sticking to My Story: The Alchemy of Storytelling for Startups. Donna specializes in helping entrepreneurs and businesses create effective presentations, pitches, and marketing materials that foster meaningful conversations and accomplish desired objectives. Donna will talk on the value of storytelling in business, including its ability to connect people and explain complicated ideas. She will also discuss taking cautious risks and controlling controllable elements. Stay tuned!
Quotes
“Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit; wisdom is knowing not to use it in a fruit salad. And I think that, at this point, if AI were making a fruit salad, it might include a tomato.” – Donna Griffit
"I'm a huge believer in frameworks, and my method for creating stories and pitch decks is very much a modular framework. It takes the guesswork out—it eliminates the "Where do I start?" and "What do I compile?" questions. I believe people work well with systems, whether they want to admit it or not." – Donna Griffit
“That's the power of optimism—it's about powering through and seeing the opportunity. To me, optimism is one of the biggest driving forces in the world.” – Donna Griffit
Takeaways
01:29 Storytelling is a powerful tool for making complex, technical information more relatable and engaging for audiences.
06:09 Using AI tools like ChatGPT can help streamline content creation, but maintaining human creativity and empathy is crucial.
08:41 Crafting a clear, structured framework for presentations, such as Donna's four-act approach, can help organize information and captivate the audience.
12:16 Investors are looking for founders who can explain their ideas clearly, show openness to feedback, and avoid argumentative behavior.
31:01 Embracing optimism and adaptability can help entrepreneurs navigate challenging times and find new opportunities.
Resources
- Donna Griffit: Get your Investor Pitch Deck Ready in Just 2 Hours!
- Donna Griffit on Facebook
- Donna Griffit on LinkedIn
- Sticking to My Story: The Alchemy of Storytelling for Startups by Donna Griffit on Amazon
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 32:33 — 44.9MB) | Embed
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1128: Tree of Life Legacies: Explore Core Values and Personal Life Stories with Storytelling Expert April Bell
Podcasting is magic because it takes personal interest and makes it interesting to other people. Enthusiastic hosts make content that connects with their listeners, which helps them become loyal fans. But to keep the excitement going, they have to really care about their topic and stay true to the purpose and goals of their podcast.
April Bell is a storytelling expert and founder of Tree of Life Legacies, a project based in the San Francisco Bay Area that focuses on storytelling and wisdom keeping. She has also developed an iOS app called StoryCatcher, which helps individuals tell and preserve their personal stories, and author of the book, "My Life in Paragraphs: Find and Tell Your Stories." April is passionate about values-based storytelling and helps people explore their core values through their origin stories. Today, April shares insights on the importance of personal storytelling, the elements of a good story, and how to effectively share stories in both personal and professional settings. Listen to learn more!
Quotes
“Digital distractions can take us in many directions, but not all of them are productive.” – April Bell
"The secret sauce, in my opinion, of telling a good story is being vulnerable." – April Bell
“This whole thing with storytelling and sharing your wisdom—the things that seem obvious to you—are going to be amazing to others. You don't have to overthink it, and you don't have to reinvent the wheel. You already have all you need inside of you. It's just about getting the help and support to let that come out, shine a light on it in a way that makes you proud and comfortable in having done that.” – April Bell
Takeaways
01:12 Sharing personal experiences and core values through stories can inspire and engage others in both professional and personal settings.
05:22 Storytelling with authenticity and vulnerability can be a powerful marketing and branding tool to connect with audiences.
07:54 The process of finding and crafting meaningful stories takes practice but can lead to profound connections and impact.
20:14 Overcoming the fear of vulnerability and simply starting to share your stories can lead to unexpected benefits for both the storyteller and the audience.
22:18 Using tools can make the storytelling process more accessible and visually engaging.
Resources
- April Bell: Your Wisdom Lives Inside Your Stories
- Tree of Life Legacies: Storytelling with Heart
- April Bell on LinkedIn
- Your Story Unleashed: A course that puts your true value into words
- My Life in Paragraphs: Find and Tell Your Stories by April Bell on Amazon
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 29:55 — 41.3MB) | Embed
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1127: Metranomic: Account-Based Marketing, Maximizing ROI, and Organizational Growth with Founder James Sandberg
Are you having trouble getting good leads using traditional digital marketing methods? Many people are frustrated because they feel like they are wasting their marketing budget with little to show for it. By focusing on broad, untargeted campaigns, companies are missing out on building strong relationships with their ideal customers. So instead, by concentrating on the right accounts that are ready to make a purchase, you can change your marketing strategy completely. Find out how to improve your sales and marketing performance.
James Sandberg is the founder of Metranomic, a specialist B2B marketing consultancy that helps clients engage, convert, and retain target accounts through intent-driven Account Based Marketing strategies. Today, James discusses the importance of creating consistent, cyclical marketing systems rather than chasing the latest "bright, shiny object." He also shared his approach to personalizing outbound email campaigns and the key principles of Account Based Marketing, including the need for leadership buy-in and a phased implementation approach.
Quotes
“Digital distractions can take us in many directions, but not all of them are productive.” – James Sandberg
"Good B2B marketing—good targeting—that's the baseline. Marketing teams should really be looking at who they engage with more in the way that sales teams do. Have they got a qualified person that they're marketing to?" – James Sandberg
“What we often ask is that we have leadership sponsoring this. Because if it's not sponsored by leadership, and they're not driving the change through the team, it's very difficult to get it to stick.” – James Sandberg
Takeaways
01:56 Consistency and creating cyclical marketing systems are crucial for avoiding distractions and improving operational efficiency.
04:35 Personalized, value-driven outreach is more effective than generic, aggressive cold emails or LinkedIn messages.
17:58 Successful Account-Based Marketing requires deep research and personalization at the individual decision-maker level, not just the organizational level.
19:14 Measuring account engagement and identifying the most interested target accounts is key to optimizing an Account-Based Marketing strategy.
29:11 Account-Based Marketing is a targeted approach that can be highly effective for large-ticket B2B sales but requires buy-in from leadership and a phased implementation.
Resources
- Metranomic: Transform Marketing Effectiveness with Full Funnel ABM
- Metranomic on Facebook
- James Sandberg on LinkedIn
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 32:09 — 44.3MB) | Embed
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