Scaling Up Business Podcast
In this episode, Bill delves into the psychological barriers that hinder our ability to secure affirmative responses in business interactions, emphasizing the detrimental impact of personal concerns and self-doubt. He identifies common worries, such as fearing one is too salesy or arrogant, and illustrates how these internal fears can prevent effective communication and diminish the enthusiasm in pitches or proposals. Bill proposes a solution to shift focus away from oneself and towards understanding and addressing the needs and interests of the other party. By acknowledging and setting aside...
info_outline Designing a Company That Can Get Rich with Christopher VolkScaling Up Business Podcast
The ultimate goal of building a company is to build its value. Designing a company that can get rich is not always top-of-mind for business owners, but it should be. Christopher Volk is the author of The Value Equation. Christopher was instrumental in leading and publicly listing three successful companies, two of which he co-founded. A 2019 regional winner of EYs’ Entrepreneur of the Year award, Christopher is a frequent university lecturer and serves on multiple non-profit boards. Not all companies are created equal. While many companies focus on their goods or services that...
info_outline Talent Assessment and DevelopmentScaling Up Business Podcast
In this episode, Bill introduces a comprehensive approach to talent assessment aimed at enhancing team performance and fostering a positive work environment as businesses grow. He emphasizes the critical importance of assembling a team that not only performs well but also aligns with the company's values and culture. Bill introduces the concept of a talent assessment tool and process that focuses on two main criteria: fit with the company's values and performance in their current roles. This straightforward assessment provides a clear strategy for managing team members, highlighting the need...
info_outline Dignity in The Modern Workplace with Ari WeinzweigScaling Up Business Podcast
Does dignity in the workplace really matter? Plenty of companies seem to get by without upholding dignity, but with over 40 years of experience and $60 million in annual sales, today’s return podcast guest knows there is a better way. Ari Weinzweig is the co-founder of Zingermans Delicatessen. Ari, alongside his co-founder, Paul Saginaw, started Zingerman’s in 1982 as a restaurant and specialty food retail space. Now the Zingerman’s Community of Businesses has 23 partners, employs over 750 people, and generates over $60 million in annual sales from ten separate businesses. ...
info_outline Process Accountability PACeScaling Up Business Podcast
In this episode, Bill explores the crucial concept of process accountability as a key driver for company growth and efficiency. Focusing on the interplay between team engagement, performance, and the seamless integration of various business processes, Bill sheds light on the importance of defining and managing core processes distinct from functional responsibilities within a company. He emphasizes that processes like the transition from lead to customer experience involve multiple departments and, without clear accountability, can lead to missed opportunities and inefficiencies. Bill delves...
info_outline Developing and training people for performance and retentionScaling Up Business Podcast
In this insightful episode, Bill dives into the critical importance of fostering a culture of learning and development within businesses to fuel growth and ensure talent retention. Bill emphasizes the necessity for every team member to contribute effectively and how investing in employee development significantly enhances job satisfaction and loyalty. He shares practical advice for companies, especially those operating with limited resources, on how to cultivate a continuous learning environment that benefits both employees and the organization. Bill outlines actionable strategies for...
info_outline Transforming the State of Small Business with Michael E. GerberScaling Up Business Podcast
Are you working at a job, or are you working at building a business that will be worth enough to sell someday? Michael E. Gerber is the author of the NY Times mega-bestseller for two consecutive decades, The E-Myth Revisited, and nine other worldwide best-selling E-Myth books. For over 40 years, Michael has been impacting the lives of small business owners as one of the world's most renowned small business thought leaders. With 34 books in his name, Michael is a rockstar author who describes his success with The E-Myth Revisited a complete accident. He knew how to sell...
info_outline Focusing on the Systems, Not the Symptoms with Dave NewellScaling Up Business Podcast
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by unsuccessful attempts to grow your business, you may be too focused on the systems. Growth happens when the focus shifts to addressing the systems, not the symptoms, of your company. Today’s guest is Dave Newell, CEO of Evolve Leadership Consulting. Dave works with small business leaders to implement the Five Facets of Business — a small business operating system — to optimize processes and foster team alignment around culture, strategy, operations, story, and finances. When systems and behaviors are aligned, the magic can start to happen....
info_outline Functional Accountability: FACe ToolScaling Up Business Podcast
In this episode, we delve into the essential strategies for fostering teamwork and driving growth within your company. I introduce the concept of the "Functional Accountability Chart Exercise," which aims to clarify roles and responsibilities, boost productivity, and streamline operations. We explore the importance of eliminating ambiguity in ownership, ensuring individuals take full accountability for their tasks, and distributing workload effectively to prevent burnout. Join me as we discuss key roles like marketing, R&D, sales, operations, finance, IT, HR, talent...
info_outline Using Meaning in Your Marketing with Pete SteegeScaling Up Business Podcast
There is power in meaning, especially in your marketing, and it may be the ticket to achieving the growth that you are seeking. Pete Steege is the CEO of B2B Clarity. With over 30 years of marketing experience with a wide range of B2B technology and manufacturing businesses, Pete helps companies manage and scale their businesses by using meaning in their marketing to scale their businesses. In the early days of his career, Pete realized that marketing focused on sharing intellectual information while entirely missing the why behind the message. Marketing is supposed to be about...
info_outlineYou’re going to have a hard time developing your business and scaling up if you’re also not developing yourself. Today’s guest’s story shares some of his leadership hardships and challenges. When we’re looking to improve the business, the first person we need to change is ourselves!
Jeff Harris is the Interim CEO at Nomos One, a lease accounting and lease management software firm. Jeff is also a member of the Forbes Business Development Council and has experience in operations, sales, product management, customer success, and more. Through Jeff’s leadership efforts, he has decreased costs, optimized cash flow, and increased revenue growth in companies as a Scale Up Implementer.
After experiencing symptoms of not being able to swallow, Jeff collapsed Christmas morning and had to be rushed to the hospital. It was there that he realized he had pneumonia and was later diagnosed with a rare disease called esophageal achalasia, which makes it difficult for food and liquid to pass into the stomach. He was put on a liquid diet for 3 months and he lost 30lbs.
Throughout this time, he didn’t want his three kids to see dad being a victim of his illness. He wanted to set a positive example for them that you can push through adversity, but it was tough. Food is such a central point in our lives. The first time Jeff went into a grocery store and realized he couldn’t eat anything, he got overwhelmed and frustrated. The smell of good food around him during mealtime was absolute torture.
Instead of having an ‘oh poor me’ attitude, you have to change your focus to a growth mindset. Where you are today is tough, but you’re not stuck there. So what are your options? How do you lead yourself out of it? It’s so easy to focus on the end-game, but what happens if you don’t know when that’ll be? Instead of giving yourself mental torture, focus on the positives of the journey you’re on now.
Interview Links:
Mindset: The New Psychology of Success,
by Carol Dweck
Resources:
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