In Top Form Podcast

The In Top Form Podcast examines how to be better and in top form in every aspect of your marketing, management, travel, fitness, and life. Its designed and presented by three business and professional practice owners for entrepreneurs and professionals who want more out of every aspect of life. Topics include: Fitness & Health, Business & Management, Travel, Lifestyle, and Food, Preparedness, Art & Fashion.

Episode 58: Part Six: How to trigger a client to go from a buyer to an advocate, referring and/or repurchasing 06/08/2018

Episode 57: Part Five: Education as a driver of consumption to improve retention 06/02/2018

Episode 56: Part Four: Purchase and Up-sell 05/26/2018

Episode 55: Part Three: Building Client and Customer Trust Through Indoctrination. 05/18/2018

Episode 54: Part Two: Using Education to Build Rapport and Trust with Clients and Customers 05/11/2018

Episode 53: Part One: Building attention and awareness, understanding the client customer life cycle. 05/04/2018

Episode 52: Introduction To Understanding The Client Customer Life Cycle 05/04/2018

Episode 51: 8 Amazing “Hacks” and Practices For Better, More Effective and Efficient Meetings – In Any Organization, Business or Professional Practice 04/13/2018

Episode 51: 8 Amazing “Hacks” and Practices For Better, More Effective and Efficient Meetings – In Any Organization, Business or Professional Practice Meetings (in organizations, businesses or even in professional practices and families) are a powerful tool to clarify goals, determine a course of action, and to implement and monitor implementation. They are, however, widely misunderstood, misused, and are incredible opportunities squandered. Like anyone who’s been in business for more than a few weeks, you’ve almost certainly experienced the pain and frustration of poorly run meetings. In fact, I’ve been in and run more than my fair share of disappointment or ineffective meetings. But, through time, and by paying attention to what really works (and what’s supported by real data and experience) I’ve become better. So, I’ll share a few of the best practices, strategies and tactics so that you can skip the long trial and error phase and go right to getting the most out of meetings in every possible dimension ranging from better morale, to faster and better implementation, to higher levels of profit, and client, customer and patient satisfaction and ultimately…referrals. So what are the most common problems? Meeting that never end, meetings that waste time and fail to achieve any results, meetings that lack focus and kill morale. You’ve probably experienced all of these. And the data supports your memory/perceptions. The typical American professional attends over 60 meetings per month (Source: A network MCI Conferencing White Paper. Meetings in America: A study of trends, costs and attitudes toward business travel, teleconferencing, and their impact on productivity (Greenwich, CT: INFOCOMM, 1998) Approximately 50% of meeting time is wasted (same source as above) 39% of people attending meetings doze off during the meeting (source: ). Wow! Whether you are organizing meetings or simply attending them, you owe it to yourself to become more effective at this professional skill. Just imagine the gains you will achieve if you become 1% or 5% better at meetings over time. See So what’s the cure? How do we go from running uninteresting and perhaps even damaging meetings to a system that produces calculated, consisten, energizing results? Have Clarity of Outcome – Whether you’re running the meeting or attending Never host, facilitate or attend a meeting without clarifying what needs to happen at the strategic and tactical level. Having a clearly defined and written purpose and a list of the intended and needed results of the meeting (prioritized) will definitely change the tone and flow for the better. This can, however, also cause you to close your mind to other alternatives, suggestions, and data from other participants. Solutions? I always make sure that there are reminders in my copy of the agenda to seek input from others and to allow for the fact that they may have more and better data than I do. Along the same lines… Obtain or Create The Written Agenda - In Advance Vague ideas and intentions to have a discussion on a topic rarely end on a productive note followed by specific actions and desired results. The meeting agenda is really the key to clarifying your thoughts AND to getting others to prepare in advance. If you are just getting started with agendas, start with a point form list of topics to be discussed and make sure that material is provided to attendees at least one day before the meeting. For better results, provide background information on the agenda items and specially what is desired and what kind of data, ideas, and information will be useful and what goals have been established for the meeting so that everyone attending has the same information. What about when you are asked to attend a meeting without an agenda? Ask, “Can you please send me an agenda for the meeting so that I can prepare?” Pro Tip: For frequently held meetings such as a weekly status meeting on a project, you can save time by creating a meeting agenda template. Once you have that in place, preparing an agenda becomes a matter of taking time to clarify your specific objectives for THAT meeting and then filling in the blanks. Determine or Review The Attendee List – And Be Sure That The Right People Are There The people in the meeting room make or break your effectiveness. I have been in MANY meetings where the key person – a manager or executive – is not present. As a result, no significant decisions can be made. For Meeting Organizers: limit the number of people attending the meeting. The purpose of meetings is to make decisions and get work done in service of a specific strategic or tactical goal. For the most part, meetings are not the best way to simply share information (exception: meetings are helpful to share sensitive information or information that can be emotionally charged and best not shared by email). For Meeting Attendees: read the attendee list before you walk into the room. Do you see any unfamiliar names? If so, consider Goggling outside attendees or when it comes to “insiders” looking them up in your organization’s directory (or on LinkedIn). Surprises are not your friend when it comes to meetings. Manage The Meeting By The Clock – Respect Others’ Time and Schedules Watching the clock is important in an effective meeting. When nobody takes charge of managing time, it is easy to become careless and unfocused. Remember – when people attend a meeting they cannot do anything else. Make the time count! For Meeting Organizers: starting the meeting on time and ending on time (or a few minutes early!) will quickly enhance your reputation as an organized person. If you are running a large or complex meeting, consider asking a colleague to serve as time keeper. If managing meetings to the clock is challenging for you, the parking lot habit (see #4 below) will be a game changer! For Meeting Attendees: start by arriving early at the meeting (I suggest 5 minutes for in person meetings and 1-2 meetings for conference calls). That means avoiding back to back committments on your calendar whenever possible. Use The Think Tank or “Parking Lot” To Manage Off Topic (But Potentially Valuable) Discussions, Ideas, and Information The Think Tank method is a way to keep the meeting focused without offending participants (and keeping them engaged) with good ideas or information that are not on point. It captures ideas to be added to another meeting or Think Tank process without defeating the original purpose of the meeting at hand. This process, when used correctly, can really perform two useful functions. First, it serves to keep the meeting focused on the stated agenda. Second, acknowledges (and captures) important points, ideas, and information raised by attendees. Warning: The Think Tank must be combined with careful and systematic follow up if you wish to be truly effective and for participants to feel that they are being heard and influential. Otherwise, you are likely to gain a reputation for simply making a show of acknowledging other people. Finally, by failing to follow up you or your organization or team may be missing out on exceptional ideas. Pro Tip: As a meeting organizer, here are a few steps to use the Think Tank concept. At the beginning of the meeting, explain you expect everyone to focus their discussions on the immediate agenda. Further, explain that this rule will help the meeting stay productive and end on time. Acknowledge that other ideas and information may come up and that you’ll be using this process to keep the meeting focused BUT those ideas will be captured and further explored in another setting or meeting. Keep the meeting agenda document in front of you as a guide and stick to it. Go through each agenda item Monitor and contribute to the discussion When someone raises an interesting, valuable or “off topic” or complex point that does not relate to the agenda, thank the person, remind them of the think tank process and why, write down the point, and schedule the best form of follow up. “Count The Votes” in Advance on Important Points and Decisions When a major bill comes to a vote on the floor of the house or senate, the party or bill sponsors try to know in advance what the vote will be. They reach out to influential members to get their vote and to reach out to others. You should be doing the same when you know that a major decision (related to funding, budgets, personnel) will be made at a meeting. Serious decisions like this require building a habit of reaching out to others in advance of the meeting. In essence, you communicate with people one-on-one before the meeting about the decision before the meeting occurs. While time consuming, this approach increases your chances of success (and avoids surprises other meeting attendees). It allows you to determine what needs to happen at the meeting in order for the desired result to be more certain. Pro Tip: For an extended discussion of the “pre-wire” or counting the votes concept, listen to the Manager Tools podcast: . Take Physical Notes For Yourself AND Have A Back Up Note Taker or Recording Taking notes in meetings is an essential skill and there is quite a bit of science that supports doing it by hand rather than on a computer. There are a number of reasons to do it including: capture of ideas, creating a record of action items and who will do them, capturing questions that need to be answered or assignments that require follow up by you or another person as well as a timeline of such actions. All are vital so let’s consider how attendees and organizers can act on notes. As noted, take notes in a paper notebook (e.g. a Moleskine notebook or something similar) rather than using a computer, tablet or other device. Even if you have fantastic abilities to focus on the meeting, other people may assume that you are “catching up on email” instead of paying attention to the meeting if you take notes on a computer. Taking notes for Meeting Organizers: if you plan to send minutes or a summary of the meeting to attendees, say this at the start of the meeting and explain what you will include. Sending out meeting minutes, even a few paragraphs or bullet points, is a best practice. Have another person backing you up or record the meeting as you’ll have a number of responsibilities and you don’t want to miss anything. Remember, however, that recording can have a chilling effect unless it’s been established as part of the process. Taking notes for Meeting Attendees: bring a copy of the agenda and use that document to guide your note taking. Focus on the decisions made in the meeting and items that require further investigation or action on your part. Follow Up On The Meeting – Where The Rubber Meets The Road For Real Results. The art and science of follow up is a vital business and professional habit generally and with respect to meetings is essential. When it comes to meeting tips, following up in a timely basis is a great way to manage stress and make a good impression on others. It’s also desirable to make it a system and habit. A best practice is to use the agenda with bulleted notes to follow up be email on the same day. However, (and specifically when ideas and information are put into the “think tank” and are on hold) phone or in person follow up might be desirable. /episode/index/show/intopform/id/6476450

Episode 50: How to get more and better referrals, even when you don't like to ask. 04/06/2018

Episode 50: How to get more and better referrals, even when you don't like to ask. Join Our Hosts Dave and Somnath Sikdar as we discuss: How to get more and better referrals, even when you don't like to ask. Why do you want and need referrals? Every business or professional practice thrives when it gets referrals from existing clients, customers, and patients. Why? They come to you with a higher level of trust inherited from the fact that you were “referred.” That trust means that the sale and transaction costs less and is on a faster track. Clients who are referred are 25- 50% more likely to engage and but and are, when treated right, also more likely to refer. Referral is so powerful and valuable, that it cannot be ignored but many businesses and professionals are dubious and are often afraid to ask for referral. So, we have put together a number of ways to trigger referral even when you hate to ask. Better yet, when you take a few hours to carefully get to know your very best clients, customers and patients, you’ll also be building a resource of knowing specifically who your existing customers should refer to you and your profitability and productivity Not to mention morale will soar. So, here are 15 (or more) ways to get more AND better/more profitable and enjoyable referrals (as you go prioritize them in the order in which you’re most likely to implement): Create a referral program or system with complementary providers to exchange referrals. Be sure you only include providers in this network that you'd be comfortable recommending to your best client or best friend. Make this systematic and easy to implement. And, make sure that the other provider know exactly the type of clients/customer/patients you best serve and why. Also, give them a great referral tool such as a book, checklist, infographic or report that they can physically or digitally provide to referrals. Recognize and thank all your referral sources and every time. This could be with a simple phone call, email, or even better, a handwritten note. The important thing is to express your appreciation. You'll also encourage additional referrals this way. And, it gives you a chance to clarify who you best serve. You can also rotate small gifts such as a notebook, book, or cupcakes from . 3. If you have clients, customers or patients who don't refer, create another way for them to recommend you (e.g., report, case study, testimonials). I call these referral tools. Make it something that they’re delighted to share. I often say “If you know anyone else who has this problem or needs this solution here’s a resource that you can share with them.” 4. Make sure your current clients know about all the products and services you offer and how you help so they can either refer within their company or to others they know. Too often sellers assume their clients know more about them than they do. 5. Add a link to a form on your website for referral submissions. 6. Stay in touch. The more often you’re in touch and giving them great content and resources, the more likely you are to be top of mind. 7. Be remarkable; remind clients why your company is special. Give them something (good) to talk about. A few times a year we meet just to ask the question how could we “show up” in an extraordinary and memorable way? When someone has an extraordinary experience they tend to share it. 8. Inspire confidence and remove the risk. It's risky referring someone—what if it's not successful? The more you can inspire confidence and trust in your referral sources by letting them know that 90% (or whatever) of your business comes from repeat customers/clients and patients. 9. Offer a referral commission. This may or may not be legal or ethical depending on your business or profession but consider it. 10. Provide valuable content your referral sources can share with their network—an invitation to a breakfast or lunch seminar or webinar on an industry topic, research briefs, an article about a regulatory change or industry trend, etc. Make it something special for them to share. 11. Treat the vendors and suppliers with which you do business as partners. Make sure they're aware of who and how you help. 12. Create a list of buyers you want to work with. Check out their LinkedIn profiles to see whether you're connected in any way. If so, reach out to them via your network—whether it's an individual, a company, or a group. 13. Treat your team members and clients as partners, too. Let them know you view them as a strategic partner, and tell them you hope they'll do the same with you. Create formal channels to share referrals. 14. Give a referral. It's one of the best ways to get one in return. Buy the other guys lunch. We recently identified a caterer that now hosts lunches for the offices and teams who make referrals to us. You can also do bagels and breakfast but you get the idea. We just tell the referral source that we want to say thank you and host breakfast or lunch. They schedule it at their convenience and we get the bill. Ask for referrals. We get it. We know you hate to ask. But, if you do a great job and wow your cleints they eventually start making referals and you realize that you desrve them…so start asking. You’ll get a lot more referrals if you ask for them. As you’re completing a project with a client, simply ask if they know anyone who would benefit from something similar. /episode/index/show/intopform/id/6451159

Episode 49: It's Spring! Time to get back in the garden to be In Top Form. 03/30/2018

Episode 48: Pat Flynn Takeover: How to achieve human flourishing 03/23/2018

Episode 47: Yoga and mindfulness, improving and boosting performance in your business and personal life. 03/16/2018

Episode 46: Strength vs Speed In Business and in Training 03/09/2018

Episode 45: Organic Foods What Really Matters, Thinking in a New Way 03/02/2018

Episode 44: Everything Gets Better When We Ask Better Questions 02/23/2018

Episode 44: Everything Gets Better When We Ask Better Questions 2 Broad Categories Questions You Ask Yourself Questions You Ask Others Beneath each are two subcategories – questions we ask about our businesses and questions about our personal lives. And, within each category there are questions we ask for particular purposes: to ignite or stimulate creativity, to calm or motivate certain behaviors, to help us to achieve goals and desired results and outcomes, to improve our performance or the performance of others…and on and on. Both basic types of questions are important because they shape the answers you’ll get, frame the experience you’ll have, as well as the sense and expectation of the future. This is also true about how you help others to frame their experiences and to enjoy more out of life. Asking better questions is a fundamental skill that has the power to make everything better. When you ask better questions it can be more motivating to yourself and other, you can trigger higher and better levels of creativity, it can help you to manage physiological reactions to stress and circumstances that otherwise seemed beyond your control And when you can do these things you become better at everything and in every role. You’re a better leader, negotiator, business owner, problem solver, father, mother spouse, partner and parent. We’ll also discuss some of the science behind this and why that’s helpful but not necessary to use these techniques more often and with less effort. So where do we begin? Why questions matter and how they work? We habitually ask bad questions, and disempowering questions in many areas of our lives and better questions in our lives when we’re more successful This matters because questions are programming for the Reticular Activating System (RAS). Getting the RAS working for you behind the scenes and outside of conscious awareness is a powerful point of leverage. How? Begin to notice (a bit more often) the space between stimulus and response. Also notice where you’re asking way better questions and notice how that correlates to positive outcomes, emotions and results in that area. You’ll begin to catch yourself asking questions and you can use some of the patterns/templates and samples here instead of the less useful questions you’ve been asking. Rubber band and pavlock. Example: You see a person at work and begin to fell irritated. In the past you might ask “What is the matter with him? He’s so irritating…. everyday.” But, when you catch yourself you might ask instead “At the moment he’s starting to do something that often irritates me BUT …What’s something I like about him? Is there anything about what he’s saying that can be helpful? Useful? Inspiring?” When you’re having an internal dialogue, you might find yourself asking “Why do I always do X (a negative behavior)?” You can break this pattern by asking, “DO I really always do it? What do I ask myself in other situations? What about this can I control? How can I use this feeling to achieve a solution? Or…”How can I change the way I fell about this?” Meta & Strategic Level: Asking questions about doing something in a kinder, easier yet more effective way rather than harder. Asking questions about more and sooner. Asking questions that trigger gratitude and a more resourceful state. Why this matters: Asking questions to deliver focus or a more general multiple perspective view. What about the situation is in your control and out of your control? Why? Self: How can I be kinder to myself and others? What would happen if I did more of those things more often? Could I be even kinder than that? What would happen then? What are the good and bad aspects of this? How can I make these questions more effective? What would _____________ do or how would she solve this problem? If I could assemble a group of talented people to help with this who would they be? What would tey say or do? How would they challenge one another? How might this failure set me up for future success? Has that ever happened in the past? What if it did or you could? Others: When they seem to be making something more difficult than it needs to be: What would this look like if it were easier? When they seem to feel that the thing is impossible or beyond them: I know you feel like you can’t yet…But what would happen if you could? What would happen if you did? How do you rate this on a scale of 1 – 10 but you can’t use 7? Is it a hell yeah or no? And? What else? How else? Why? Change of state, motivation How have you successfully overcome obstacles in the past? Learned behavior as an asset Focus Creativity Power/Strength Other areas that could apply /episode/index/show/intopform/id/6291388

Episode 43 Getting the Most from the New Year 02/23/2018

Episode 43 Getting the Most from the New Year Today we look back over the last few years of the show and select some of the best tools, techniques, strategies and tactics for getting more out of your business, professional and personal life in the areas of profit, marketing, fitness, health, communications and negotiating skills, goal setting, systems, and more. Some principles and techniques apply across business and life. Since it’s New Year’s Eve let’s start with goal setting and systems. Goals vs. Resolutions and Goals vs. Systems Goals and Goal Setting: Better Ways of Creating goals – Common: I want X result Better: I want X result by Y date Better Yet: I will do the following to achieve X (Measurable result) by Y Date Superior: What systems and actions can I create/do to achieve X [measurable goal or more/better] by Y [specific time frame OR SOONER] Systems vs. Goals Frameworks for organizing/optimizing Information You Use Meta Level Principles – These are built upon natural laws. They are the most important drivers of your thinking and behaviors and remain true in most cases, and across time and experience. You may get better at understanding and articulating them but they rarely change. Example: Building discipline and the idea that discipline is the source of freedom is a meta principle that makes business and life better. Another example would be optimism. Hiring for optimism and developing it in yourself are both scientifically proven to be beneficial and Strategies – These are high level thinking and can be applied consistently for better results. However, they strategies you use may work better I some circumstances than others Example: Do more of what works and try to eliminate what has been repeatedly proven to fail. In business this assumes for example that you’re watching data and that you notice who your best customers really are and what problems they have that you can solve. The you stop spending on advertising and marketing to others who consistently fail to buy. Example: Using software and automation in your business systems is strategic. Choosing which systems to automate is a strategy. The particular software you use is a tactic and how you use it is also tactical. So that brings us to… Tactics – These are the hacks, tricks, and individual tools that can be guided by meta principles and strategies. They need to be monitored and evaluated constantly. They often need to be varied to respond to changes in the environment/workplace/market Meta Level Secrets: Frameworks – For stories, ads, marketing, blogs, etc. Algorithms- Yeah or Hell No” Derek Sievers Resources: Extreme Ownership by Jocko Wilink The Language of Parenting by Dave Frees Silent Power by Stuart Wilde http://amzn.to/2zM9WTL /episode/index/show/intopform/id/6291350

Episode 42: Discover the business version of night vision goggles. 02/16/2018

Episode 41: Enhanced Communication, Persuasion and Negotiation In Business And In Life: 02/09/2018

Episode 41: Enhanced Communication, Persuasion and Negotiation In Business And In Life: Join Dr. Dave & Dave as they reveal the secrets to being more powerful, persuasive and influential in business and life. They review the skills in Dave Frees' book The Language of Parenting as well as everything that they've learned and mastered since. Discover how to use this information in your personal life, in negotiations, and in every aspect of your business, professional practice and marketing. Resources: The Mind Set and Meta Strategies Of Great Persuaders and Influential People: Highly Flexible Words Don’t Mean The Same Thing Self Aware High Sensory Acuity Can Be Learned and Mastered Use Multiple Perspectives Out Come Oriented with Openness To Change Emotionally in control/reframing expert The Tactics and Techniques Of Persuasion and Influence: Tone, speed, expression Use Their Language The last 3 words Parrot Phrasing NOT Paraphrasing Embedded Commands Tag Questions Are Good Aren’t They? How do we use these in business with staff/team/ hiring, onboarding, training, marketing, sales, retention, activating referral Tactical Examples: When you truly know your client/customer/patient and what they want and worry about, you can also build credibility and trust faster (because you know where they get trusted information and how they make decisions). NOTE: Try asking why you decided to buy from us, what were the factors you considered and how were you sure that you could trust us and were making a great decision. This is a great practice for many reasons. I the article above she did that in the very first paragraph. She mentions over 80 health care organizations dedicated to the very thing that is important to her audience. Infant and maternal health. Do this early and often. Within a few more sentences she says that these organizations are both large and small. Which deals with the question in the readers’ mind that these may be either big organizations that don’t get it or smaller less well informed. She tells them…it’s all kinds of organizations…relax...it’s all good. Inoculate against the objections before they even occur. So when you know what the objections are (and you should after a few sessions selling to your best clients/customers/and patients) then raise them yourself. Have answers ready to go. And notice what causes buyers remorse in your customers. Be prepared to talk through that with them in advance. Make sure that you send them off prepared to satisfy their own regrets as well as to answer the questions and criticisms they may hear from others who are influential in their lives (spouses, children, partners etc). Develop Trust, eliminate risk, and create self improving systems Hack: Use and minimize anxiety The Anxiety Performance Enhancer Hack Have you ever felt extremely anxious before speaking, taking a test, and or engaging an important activity? Many people do even when they are experienced and professional. What’s more, many of us feel that it interferes with our very best performance. I’m an experienced meditator, and use deep breathing to relax and to get past the anxiety. But then I often have to ramp my enthusiasm back up. So what if I could show you a quick but proven/effective hack that works for me and has some great science behind it? Will you use it? See and experience it for yourself? It’s called the “I feel excited” hack. And it uses the fact that anxiety and excitement are biochemically very much the same thing viewed through two different mental filters. So watch this quick video and enjoy getting past anxiety and actually making it work for you. How Do We Use Them In Marketing? Know the avatar (who you’re really selling to. Know where they go for trusted sources of information. Become influential not just persuasive. Here’s How We Use Some Of These Techniques in An Ad Have some video and audio editing experience? Want to learn the world of podcasting and live video broadcasting? Be central to a team of co-hosts building a new business based on live video and podcasting? We run a weekly Facebook live TV show called “In Top Form.” We have also created a weekly podcast (taken from the show’s audio) and a blog related to improved performance and experience in athletics, fitness, business, wealth building, marketing and travel/lifestyle. We’re currently looking for someone to work part time on the show as a intern and production assistant/editor. That requires you to be physically at the location in Malvern, Pa for that part of the job. The rest of the work (see below) can be done at your own location and at your convenience so long as it is done each week. To do this job well and to enjoy it, you must be an excellent communicator, a good listener/learner, and have some experience with audio and video editing and software. The job would include about 1.5 to 2 hours per week (on Sundays) helping to produce the live show and another 1 to 2.5 hours of editing, posting the podcast and show notes through Libsyn (the podcasting platform) and related technical activities. You must also be able to do these things within a reasonable amount of time...and be comfortable with meeting critical deadlines. Being a strong and careful multi-tasker who enjoys communications and editing video and audio is critical to your success and enjoyment of this position.Before applying, please review your resume. Does it truly show that you're this type of person with these skills? If not please do not apply. It will be unfair to you and to us. But, if you're super strong in these areas and truly dedicated to working on a team of dedicated professionals, then follow the process outlined below. Again, attention to detail is critical.The show’s culture is a fun work environment where the co-hosts are friendly, warm, and care about one another and the team but we all want to get the work done and to build this start-up into a real business. ESSENTIAL SKILLS (Don't apply if you won't blow us away on these): Great people skills with some sales experience preferred but not essentialExcellent with Google docs and or excel (Creating PowerPoint screen capture videos is a plus!) Strong Proofreading ability and attention to detail, format, and stylePrior experience with video and audio editing.RESPONSIBILITIES: Attending the show on Sunday afternoon and running the broadcast software so that the hosts can pay attention to answering guest questions. Helping to edit, create, proofread show notes for each show and inserting affiliate links and informational links from the live show. Editing both videos and audios and posting them to various locations Responding to requests for information from guest hosts and show guests Editing and posting our materials to the blog, and to social media. THE TYPE OF PERSON I AM LOOKING FOR IS: Friendly and good with people Likes to help people by being able to sell them what they really needPrompt and reliable Well Organized Trustworthy (will deal with highly confidential issues; involves a non-disclosure agreement) Responsible & A Self Starter who finishes jobs on time and in budgetFocused Has an interest in business, video, podcasting, marketing or sales and psychology Has a strong work ethic and is a team player willing to help If you really want to be considered for THIS job then please:1) E mail your resume to AND/OR2) Fax your resume to 610-240-93233) Be sure to include (on a separate sheet in both the email and/or fax) the contact information for at least two referencesCompensation will be determined by your skill levels and/or prior experience. Must be able to dedicate at least five hours per week to the work (more is possible once we determine your skills and capabilities).You can read more about the show here: http://www.Facebook.com/InTopFormI regret that I can't reply to all applicants, but you will hear back if there's an initial fit. /episode/index/show/intopform/id/6242038

Episode 40: Cocktails the Lost Art and Science for Relaxation and Entertaining. 02/02/2018

Episode 39: Whatever Happened To The Pot Luck? 01/26/2018

Episode 39: Whatever Happened To The Pot Luck? Have you ever wondered why you don’t get to see friends more often? And, when you do get together is it awesome? Does it fill you with energy? Do you have a great time and recharge? Do you see more of what really matters and a bit more clearly? Our friendships matter but in the modern world we’re busier than ever and we often sacrifice getting together. And let’s face it, entertaining is hard and stressful so we often default to a sports bar or other less than perfect location for catching up and finding out about one another again. Ages ago, in the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s they had an institution to deal with this – the pot luck lunch of dinner. Everyone made something so it was easy on the host (and the host often rotated but someone can be a “permanent host”). A few people brought a salad and someone brought a side or two. A person or a couple of people brought a main dish and another a dessert (or two). The host made something as well and often provided drinks (as well as the quiet relaxed venue of a home). There was often music or a game. But people talked. They blew off steam. They didn’t always agree about everything but they were respectful of one another and dedicated to having fun and enjoying one another for who they are. They realized that we all had a right to our own opinions and that often there were things that were correct about both sides of an “argument.” People often felt recharged and ready for the week ahead (as these events often fell on a weekend evening). Does this sound like something you’d like to do? Well today is all about the pot luck. We explore how to get into the pot luck mindset and why you should. We talk strategies to make getting together easy and fun. How to take the stress out of food allergies and other modern dilemmas as well as tricks of the pot luck life style, where to get amazing recipes and more. You’re gonna love seeing friends a bit more often and you’re going to really enjoy being the host that makes this happen! The Pot Luck Mindset: Decide to change and take an action to do it. Schedule one and invite a few couples at the most. Everyone enjoys bringing something and “cheating” is allowed. That means that they can buy a dish or pre-made ingredients. Better that they come than not. Seeing friends once a week or once a month matters, it’s great and you feel better and connected. Pot Luck Strategies: Planned is better but spur of the moment (on a Friday for Sunday) can work too. Every now and then add a theme to it such as: Australia Day, My Big Fat Geek Wedding, Titanic, you get the picture. In all cases, emphasize casseroles, slow cooker, and easy on them. Decide to relax and enjoy yourself and select vodka, rum, bourbon, scotch, or other libation/natural mood equalizer (we meant 5htp! Seriously. You thought we meant weed?) Do the real deal for invitations, call another human on the phone or send a real paper invite with advanced notice. Follow up with a quick call…it’s fun to connect even if they can’t come…and remember that people have forgotten what RSVP means. “Assign” everyone a type of dish (such as a side, appetizer, cocktail, beer or wine, main course or dessert). Identify food allergies in advance. Accommodate them or have them bring at least one thing they’re very certain is safe. Create labels if they tell you what they’re bringing. Have more in case they bring something else. Label the dishes as well as Gluten Free, Dairy, Free Vegetarian or vegan depending on the audience and what matters. Sources of ideas: Recipes: Dave’s Pinterest Board on Entertaining and Food )please no judgment) Dave’s Pinterest Board on Gluten Free Dave’s Baked Goods That Rock The Ranch Visitor’s Cookbook More Easy Pot Luck Recipe Resources: ww.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/ /episode/index/show/intopform/id/6189811

Episode 38: Totally Dominate Your Market: Practical Strategies and Tactics From Amazon 01/19/2018

Episode 37: The Business & Life Secrets of Warren Buffett’s Partner – Charlie Munger Part 2 01/12/2018

Episode 37: The Business & Life Secrets of Warren Buffett’s Partner – Charlie Munger Part 2 9 “Secrets and Rules For More Success and A Better Richer Life” Charlie Munger Part 1: If you want to get your own copy of Poor Charlie’s Almanack: Expended Third Edition here’s the link. 1) Understand “Cognitive Bias” and What Default Human Practices/Tendencies to Avoid Three Tendencies To Avoid While Making Life and Business Decisions: 1) Bias from envy and jealousy, related from Buffett – “It’s not greed that drives the world…it’s envy.” 2) Avoid accepting delusional beliefs (sounds simple but…), and 3) Making closed minded judgments about people…remain open to learning from people who you at first dislike. Here’s a link to a brief video reminder: https://youtu.be/sJgHvuTeryM 2) Practice Frugality and Simplicity "One of the great defenses — if you're worried about inflation — is not to have a lot of silly needs in your life." According to CNBC: “Despite their success, Munger and Buffett are .” Buffett goes to breakfast every day but often spends less that $4.00. Both Charlie and Warren have lived in modest homes and driven older-model cars most of their lives. It was a habit they built to ensure that they had money to invest. 3) Read Daily and Choose Your Reading Wisely "In my whole life, I have known no wise people who didn't read all the time — none, zero." The richest man in the world, Bill Gates, , or Buffett, who . Munger's been an avid reader since he was a kid and he notes that "By age eight both Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin had permanent places on the bookshelf above his bed." Dave Frees’ Tool To Do This Better Developing the ability to read with discipline and more effectively – set aside time to do it…everyday. Set aside time to think strategically about what you want to read. Reading rules: Read the cover, intro, table of contents. Then, and as you read, do a note card(s) with the essential ideas, copy and quotes you might later use and also a separate note card with action items/resources. Once you’re done the book do a mind map on a card. Keep both in the front of the book but take the action item and resources card out and buy/acquire the resources and diary the action items. 4) Develop the Right Habits and Use The Compounding Effect Of Knowledge and Wisdom "Spend each day trying to be a little better, smarter, and wiser than you were when you woke up." The wealthiest, most successful people tend to push themselves beyond their comfort zones and prior achievements. They are constantly looking for ways to improve and Munger is no exception. Again, according to CNBC: "In Charlie's own life, when he was practicing law, he implemented a self-education regime for one hour a day to learn such things as real estate development and stock investing…He has often said that he is a much better investor at 90 than he was at 50, a fact he attributes to the compounding effect of knowledge." 5) Rules For Business Owners & Career Advice: "Three rules for a career: 1) Don't sell anything you wouldn't buy yourself, 2) Don't work for (or hire) anyone you don't respect and admire, 3) Work only with people you enjoy." Dave’s Take on This: whenever you’re brainstorming new products and services, or the re-vamp of an existing one, make sure to repeatedly ask the question “Would I buy this for myself or another person? If so Why? And, “how could it be even better, simpler, and even easier to get the desired result?” And when it comes to hiring and working for clients/customers/patients, it’s not enough to know that you enjoy and respect them. Try to understand what it is about people who you have, for years, enjoyed and respected, and why you feel that way. This makes judgments about others in the future easier. 6) Be A Renaissance Man or Woman And Learn Across Disciplines “If you skillfully follow the multidisciplinary path, you will never wish to come back. It would be like cutting off your hands.” “I paid no attention to the territorial boundaries of academic disciplines and I just grabbed all the big ideas that I could.” Munger Generalism 7) Be Aware of Your Limits and Expand Them But Excel Within Them Don’t Get Ahead of Them “It is remarkable how much long-term advantage people like us have gotten by trying to be consistently not stupid, instead of trying to be very intelligent.” “I think Warren and I know the edge of our competency better than other people do.” Munger Think strategically and globally as you take on a project, about the following: What are the upsides? Financially as well as in terms of happiness and team/work satisfaction/motivation What are the risks? Financially and to all of the above. What are our known and existing resources and strengths that are used here? Where/How are we weak here? Do others within the organization agree? How have customer’s clients and patients rated us in these skill areas in past transactions? 8) Build On Simplicity – Informed Simplicity “Take a simple idea, and take it seriously.” Munger Ultimately, we build best when we build on simplicity and we are dedicated to simplifying. Don’t start with ideas that are too complex. Find one that solves a basic need or problem is a new OR proven way that’s not previously or currently being applied to this market/problem/niche. Build from there but continuously seek to “re-simplify.” 9) Build A “Lattice” of Mental Models To Be Truly Effective In Every Aspect of Life “What are the models? Well, the first rule is that you've got to have multiple models because if you just have one or two that you're using, the nature of human psychology is such that you'll torture reality so that it fits your models, or at least you'll think it does. … And the models have to come from multiple disciplines because all the wisdom of the world is not to be found in one little academic department. That's why poetry professors, by and large, are so unwise in a worldly sense. They don't have enough models in their heads. So you've got to have models across a fair array of disciplines. You may say, “My God, this is already getting way too tough.” But, fortunately, it isn't that tough because 80 or 90 important models will carry about 90% of the freight in making you a worldly wise person. And, of those, only a mere handful really carry very heavy freight.” Munger Here’s an amazing resource on Munger and models: The categories from which we derive useful mental models/frameworks of thinking and more accurately understanding the world: Mathematics and Statistics Biology Human Nature and Judgment Military and Covert Warfare Improved Thinking & Psychology Systems Thinking Physics of the Observable World and Quantum Mechanics Micro Economics And when we align our lives and practices with not only our principles and values but also with the “laws of nature” and a better way of thinking (a matrix of mental models) then things start to get really good. There are hundreds of models under each category above, but let me suggest a few that you learn and consider in the future as you: 1) develop products and services, 2) solve problems for yourself, team and clients, 3) launch new marketing and sales efforts and campaigns, 4) improve your profitability, systems, and the value of your practice as well as, 5) taking actions to radically improve your relationships and personal life. Mathematics and Statistics: Compounding and the time value of money – Once we understand the power of compounding of money, we can begin to understand the time value of money AND that compounding might apply to other things as well. For example, if we understand the time value of money we may stop giving away value by allowing clients to pay us over long periods of time. Can’t be done? Yes it can but you need to think more deeply. Can you alter who you attract? Can you offer multiple payments but with interest or at a higher price? Likewise, when we understand compounding in one way (of money) we can start to think about building skills earlier and reaping the reward of getting better and better sooner. For example, I learned a set of skills as a negotiator and interrogator that I have used since my twenties. Had I learned them later I’d have left millions of dollars on the table over the years. And, I’m better than ever now and can use these skills is more imaginative ways, across multiple disciplines to make even more and to limit downside risk. Pareto’s Principle - Otherwise known as the 80/20 rule. Once we learn that 20 percent of most societies seem to amass 80% of the wealth (across cultures, religions, nations, and throughout time) we begin to realize that we use 20% of our homes 80% of the time and that 80% of the time we are wearing the same 20% of our shoes and clothes. This leads us to understand that 20% of our marketing and advertising gets us most of the results (but not always the 20% of the clients that yield/pay us 80% of our profits or the 20% who make 80% of the best referral. That 20% of our team accomplishes 80% of the tasks. When we do we can look at hiring, training, client selection, lines of business and service, and our advertising and marketing in a totally different (and more effective and profitable) way. The laws of small and large numbers - One of the fundamental underlying assumptions of probability is that as more instances of an event occur, the actual results will converge on the expected ones. For example, if we know that the average man is 5 feet 10 inches tall, we’re far more likely to get an average of 5′10″ by selecting 1,000 men at random than 5 men at random. The opposite of this model is the law of small numbers, which states that small samples can and should be looked at with great skepticism. Can you think how this might apply to thinking about a sales letter, Facebook advertising, reviewing resumes? Biology: Adaptation Species tend to adapt to their surroundings and changes in their surrounding.. But, the adaptations made in an individual organism’s lifetime are not passed down genetically. Rather, whole Populations of species adapt through the process of evolution by natural selection, as the most-fit offspring of the species survive in the new and changed environment and are then able to reproduce at an above-average rate. Can this help us in business? Well, think about testing and marketing. The landscape recently changed dramatically for trusts and estate lawyers. For most of their clients, the old motivations to do planning…the federal estate tax…is now gone. So what to do? What will get them to act in this new, and tax friendlier environment? Before we create or offer a new product or service in a full launch and expensive rollout (where we dedicate enormous resources that cannot easily be recovered) it might be useful to offer a few variations based on our theory of what’s best in a new legal environment. One or two of our tests may substantially outperform the others (as they did). Then and only then do we put our resources behind a broader release of the real survivors. (The Arms Race of Genetic and current Adaptation) As the above blog observes, “The evolution-by-natural-selection model leads to something of an arms race among species competing for limited resources.” Thus, when one species acquires an advantageous adaptation, a competing species must also adapt in some equal or better way or it will fail as a species. Essentially, this model tells us that staying in the same place, can mean falling behind or dying out. This evolutionary arms race is called the Red Queen Effect for the character in Alice in Wonderland who said, “Now, here, you see, it takes all the running you can do, to keep in the same place.” So, this gets us thinking about the need for constant reinvention or at least about being aware of changes in the environment and in our competition. It also suggests both an advantage in being innovative and able to cloak or hide the innovation from our competitors for as long as possible. It means we have to develop ways of working smarter NOT just harder. Finally, if we bring different models to bear there is also a model from warfare that tells us that splitting our forces diminishes their power and makes error more likely. So do we do ourselves harm by splitting our energies and resources and developing new services and products when our existing ones are still going strong? Now we know we’re getting somewhere because our models have conflicting things to tell us and we have to think about it even more. Complicated? Yes. Extremely powerful? You Bet. Human Nature and Judgment: Trust Fundamentally, most societies and social/business structures operate on the basis of trust. A trusting system is one that tends to work most efficiently and as a result, the rewards of trust are extremely high. When prospects learn to trust you and your business, cost of acquisition is lowered. This means that the skills of truly building and maintaining trust are a highly valuable. But how people test for trust and what they require to maintain it seems complicated and dependent on contest. To learn more see my article on trust here: Trust Part I Trust Part II Trust Part III Trust Part IV and Resources or Here are links to two more excellent articles on two more mental models worth adding to your way of thinking about and looking at problems and creating solutions. Basically, we tend, based on past association, stereotyping (another human mental model that must be understood), our own ideology, or by direct experience, to distort our thinking and judgments in favor of people or things that they like and against people or things they dislike. This tendency leads to overrating the things we like and underrating or broadly categorizing things we dislike, often missing crucial nuances in the process. Application in business and in life: Build a practice of asking ourselves the question, “Am I making this decision/Judgment based on objective facts/observations OR might my basis for the decision be based on a tendency to like or dislike a person or institution involved? Another thought to drive better business practices and more effective behavior in life: “And what will a man naturally come to like and love, apart from his parent, spouse and child? Well, he will like and love being liked and loved.” — Charlie Munger Manipulative? Yes. But if you do truly love and carefor your clients, customers, friends, and relatives…think about it. Military, Covert Practices & Warfare Seeing the Front One of the most valuable military tactics is the habit of “personally seeing the front” before making decisions – not always relying on advisors, maps, and reports, all of which can be either faulty or biased. The NLP Map Is Not The Territory model illustrates the problem with not seeing the actual front, as does the incentive model. Leaders of any organization can generally benefit from seeing the front, as not only does it provide firsthand information, but it also tends to improve the quality of secondhand information. In business this can translate into periodically observing and/or debriefing front line contacts. Listening to phone call recordings and, for a sales manager/director might mean actually taking calls when a new product launches to hear the questions, objections and vocabulary used. This is turn can inform marketing and sales training. Asymmetric Warfare Think the American Revolution, ISIS, Osama Bin Laden and the Iraqi Insurgency. The asymmetry model as applied to warfare is one side creating and playing by different rules than the other side. Generally, this model is applied by an insurgency with limited resources. Unable to out-muscle their opponents using conventional weapons and tactics that favor the conventional force, asymmetric fighters use other tactics, as with terrorism creating fear that's disproportionate to their actual destructive ability. Two-Front War Model – From Both Directions The Second World War was a good example of a two-front war for Germany. Once Russia and Germany became enemies, Germany was forced to split its troops and send them to separate fronts, weakening their impact on both fronts. America was lured into a two front war in Europe and the Pacific which successfully (for a time) diluted it’s ability to bring it’s full military force to bear. In business, opening a two-front war can often be a useful tactic that will cause competition to divide it’s forces. This can be especially powerful if the second “front” is launched by another competitor or type of competition. If you care currently fighting a two front war solving that dispute or avoiding the opening of a second front, An example might be an organization effectively tamping down “internal discord” (think Uber) to focus on its competitors or external attacks. Improved Thinking & Psychology: This NLP model tells us that there will always be an imperfect relationship between reality (on the ground) and the various models we use to simplify, represent, understand and to operate within the reality. The reduction and simplification is helpful and often allows us to act, but we should not be unmindful of it or surprised when the reality differs from the model. A technique popularized by Einstein, Tesla and Edison, the thought “experiment” is a way to logically carry out a test in one’s own head that would be very expensive, difficult or impossible to perform in real life. With the thought experiment as a tool, we can “solve problems” in advance and then deploy/implement and test our “solutions” in the real world. Named after the friar William of Ockham, Occam’s Razor is a heuristic for simplifying choice and selecting between or among competing explanations or solutions. Ockham’s Razor essentially states that we should prefer or select the simplest explanation with the fewest moving parts. Such explanations are, in general, easier to understand, and more likely, on average, to be the correct explanation. This principle is not an ironclad law but a useful mindset/force multiplier. It allows us to make more accurate choices more often. Essentially, the idea is that “If all else is equal, it’s more likely that the simple solution suffices. Of course, we also keep in mind Einstein’s famous idea (even if apocryphal) that “an idea should be made as simple as possible, but no simpler. Systems & Systems Thinking (and Homeostasis) People (and the business structures that they create) prefer the comfort zone. Once they have achieved a safe place to live in a comfortable way it will take quite a bit of energy or a significant threat to get them to change. That is why creating and monitoring feedback loops matters so much in business as standing still is, in reality moving backwards. Without careful and regular self assessment and a review of the data we become subject to disruption by people and entities willing to lie with change and who are more aware/adaptive. Algorithms An algorithm is generally an automated set of rules, code, or a “blueprint” leading a series of steps or actions moving the result step-bystep toward a desired outcome. Algorithms are best known for their use in... /episode/index/show/intopform/id/6141344

Episode 36: 12 Amazing Charlie Munger quotes, Thoughts, Business & Life Resources That’ll Make You Healthy, Wealthy and Wise. 01/05/2018

Episode 36: 12 Amazing Charlie Munger quotes, Thoughts, Business & Life Resources That’ll Make You Healthy, Wealthy and Wise. From The Charles Munger Series Part 1 If you want to get your own copy of Poor Charlie’s Almanack: Expended Third Edition here’s the link. It’s filled with amazing resources, articles and thoughts that can change your life and how you do business. If you're also interested on more related thoughts and ideas about destroying your own outdated systems and ideas and creating new, better and more effective results try Ray Dalio’s new book Principles. In today’s show we examine some central themes, resources and quotes that have given Warren Buffet’s partner his wealth and power and have clearly delivered a long and happy life: 1) Charlie Munger was a generalist and highly informed by the ideas of evolution and philosophy. See Pat Flynn on generalism vs. specialization Chronicles of Strength Facebook group. How does this help and apply to us? 2) Charlie Munger was a fan of becoming friends with the “eminent dead” and in particular how much you can learn from them, As such, he was a giant fan of biography and autobiography and learned much from Benjamin Franklin. Franklin published Poor Richard’s Alamanack from 1733 to 1758. How does this help/apply to us? Who can you identify someone from the distant or recent past who was thoughtful and successful and how do you learn from them? Additional Munger concepts and quotes that you can use from just the first few pages: 3) “…Do Work that provides for more value to others.” How is this helpful/apply to us? What happens when you focus on bringing more value to others? Can you increase margins and entity value? 4) Munger has an amazing Willingness to Change his mind and a willingness and eagerness to acknowledge and learn from his own mistakes. “Warren and I are very good at destroying our own best loved ideas.” Dave Frees refers to this in evolution as “killing the babies.” Dave notes that all species over reproduce offspring so that whatever happens in the environment (constant change) there will be some better adapted to survive. But in business we develop products, services, marketing etc. that we love and spend money and resources to keep alive but are not designed to survive in the current environment. He also notes that he and Warren look at old ideas as less functional tools and he asks why, if you could have a better, newer tool would you not reject the old tool? Cites John Kenneth Galbraith: “Faced with the choice between changing one's mind and proving there is no need to do so, almost everyone gets busy on the proof.” So how do you do that AND what happens when you do? 5) Munger has constant praise for old age and the idea that one should make growth and self- improvement a goal until death and cites Franklin “when you’re finished changing you’re finished.” So how does this apply to or help us? 6) Biologist Julian Huxley “Life is just one damn relatedness after another,” Munger believe you must have the models to see the relatedness of many/all things and the effects from that relatedness. Munger: You need a system of multiple mental models. Pat Flynn again on multidiscipline vs specialization and Dave and Somnath on multidisciplinary education and hiring in today’s environment of increasing rates of change. “Simplicity is the end result of long, hard work, not the starting point.” Frederick Maitland 7) “The lollapalooza effect” Munger suggests having numerous mental models and notes that when multiple models are combined you get the lollapalooza effect that is when to use three or four for his forces are all operating in the same direction you get amazing results. It's often like a critical mass in physics when you get a nuclear explosion if you get to a certain point of critical mass and you don't get anything worth seeing if you don't reach that same mass. Monger also observed that both he and Buffett left school only discover that there were multiple models at work and that these models created amazing results but that their professors and never told them about it that professors and use the same old approaches in a never considered more multidisciplinary view of the world. In the book he explains his multiple and unique models how to master them and cite specific examples of their application real-world analysis and decision-making 8) Munger on patience: Munger, like Warren Buffett, makes a very large bats and typically holds the position for a live very long time Charlie calls it sit on your ass investing insights into many benefits: quote your paying less to brokers, listing less nonsense, if it works the tax system gives you an extra 12 or three percentage point per atom." The importance he notes is the art of patience/the art of waiting without tiring of waiting. Waiting also has application when you’re taking the time to evaluate the very best options and taking ONLY those options where success is most likely, and failure is possible but not likely. How does this apply/help us and how can we use this idea? Example: What if you had a ticket. And each time you made an investment it got punched and you could only make 20 investments in your life. Would you take more time to choose? 9) Munger on how and where he operates: “Move only when you have an advantage. It's very basic. After it understand the odds and have the discipline to bet only when the odds are in your favor. We just keep our heads down and handle the headwinds and tailwinds as best we can, and take the result after a period of years." Quote if we have a strength, it's in recognizing when we are operating well within our circle of competence and when we are approaching the perimeter." Warren Buffett Quote if you have competence pretty much know it's boundaries already. It asked the question of whether you are past the boundary is to answer it." M" I'm no genius. I'm smart in spots, and I stay around those spots." Thomas Watson Senior So it sounds like they say they’re staying in a comfort zone and we say expand the comfort zone. Are those ideas in conflict or mutually exclusive? 10) Munger’s effect on Buffett: “ Charlie shoved me in the direction of not just buying bargains, has Ben Graham had taught me. This was the real impact Charlie had on me. It took a powerful force to move me from Graham’s limiting views. It was the power of Charlie's mind. He expanded my horizons." Warren Buffett this reflects Charlie Munger's three great lessons of investing: 1) “ A great business at a fair price to superior to a fair business at a great price. 2) A great business at a fair price is superior to a fair business and great price. And 3) A great business at a fair price is superior to a fair business at a great price." Amazing Munger Questions: If it’s cheap enough to buy is it cheap for a right reason or a wrong reason? What’s the flip side? What can go wrong with that and that I’ve never seen? 11) The force of Competitive destruction: Of the fifty most important stocks listed on the NYSE in 1911 only one remains in business today. So what do you do about that? And if so why and how do they invest for the long term. How does that apply to us? 12) There are no perfect formulae: “You need a different checklists and a different mental model or multiple models for different companies. I can never make it easy by saying “Here are three things." you have to derive it yourself to ingrain in your head for the rest of your life." How does this help/apply to us? This applies to every sales funnel as well. Who are we selling to? What are their unique worries, desires, needs, ways of deciding. You can have a system for doing it but you need to do it to customize every product, service and marketing process. 13) Charlie Munger’s Recommended Reading List Guns, Germs and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies - (understanding how societies and systems grow, develop and die) The Selfish Gene (Extended Edition) - (outcompeting the competition) Darwin’s Blind Spot - (out co-operating the competition) /episode/index/show/intopform/id/6117430

Episode 35: The Great Unfinished Project 12/29/2017

Episode 34: Getting Stuff Done In Business & Life 12/22/2017

Momentum: How to Get it, Build it, and to use it to be IN Top Form 12/15/2017

Planning For The New Year BEFORE The New Year: Quick but Effective Hacks & Brilliant/Actionable Strategies For Having Your Best Year Ever 12/09/2017

Planning For The New Year BEFORE The New Year: Quick but Effective Hacks & Brilliant/Actionable Strategies For Having Your Best Year Ever So this week we’re going to review some simple but highly effective little hacks as well as some really well thought out and proven higher level strategies and tactics for getting the very most out of a new year. This will be jam packed because it’s a quick review of many past shows on how to achieve more and to be more. So be sure to listen to the podcast for our shows on OODA Loop, Setting Better Goals, and Goals vs. Systems for more in depth discussions of each. And we’re doing this four weeks ahead for a reason. No matter what you’re doing, it pays to plan ahead but with deadlines. So that the time doesn’t expand to fill the entire period. STRATEGY: Block Time To Do This And Other Things That Matter While Avoiding Time Creep TACTIC: So we’re going to start by getting you to get out your calendar right now…or make a note so that as soon as the show is over you’ll block the time to do three things BEFORE the end of the year and for a few after the start. BEFORE year end…block time to do some high level thinking and a few exercises we’re going to give you. You’ll need at least an hour for the first. A half an hour for the second, and a half an hour for the third. Does that feel like too much time? Well, if you can’t invest two hour this month in getting the very most out of next year in your business and in your life than you’re probably going to have real problems. You have to make higher level thinking a priority and you have to diary and block time and then defends it. So commit right now to that. It will make an amazing difference. Now for after the new year… Block at least two hours each week to do something that you want to do. Block it now. You’re going to need to defend it… Why? Now and in the next three sessions on your own: What do I really want? Business and Life Who would I need to be to have that? Business/Life What resources do I need to make it inevitable that I’d have that or more by the date selected or sooner? Business/Life STRATEGY: Know who your best clients really are, what they fear and value. How they communicate, the language that they use and where they go for trusted information Tactics: Ask them more and more often. Make them more offers that match and are in alignment. STRATEGY: Being Open To Being Wrong Or To Something Better: What evidence would I need to see, hear or feel in order to know that I might be wrong? Start with the end in mind…recipe for success or dismal failure Tactic: X or better by Y or sooner STRATEGY: Alignment with Vision, Values (permanent or largely unchanging)and Mission (will change through time as you summit the peak and look to the next level) Tactics: Measurement and OODA Loop Decide on mission metrics and have a to do and a not to do list with KPIs and regular monitoring. Tactics: Define them in time blocks provided and then refine them Tactics: Binary decision making, rating and removing the number 7 on a scale of one to ten. Strategy: Systems vs. Goals Strategy: Upsells increase margins AND satisfaction/experience Tactics: More and in more ways Strategy: Referrals of more and better Develop Trust, eliminate risk, and create self improving systems Strategy: Reactivation and Retention Strategy: Market to your team and up your game with recruiting, hiring and on boarding/training Tactics Strategy: Do more speaking and writing with less anxiety Hack: Use and minimize anxiety The Anxiety Performance Enhancer Hack Have you ever felt extremely anxious before speaking, taking a test, and or engaging an important activity? Many people do even when they are experienced and professional. What’s more, many of us feel that it interferes with our very best performance. I’m an experienced meditator, and use deep breathing to relax and to get past the anxiety. But then I often have to ramp my enthusiasm back up. So what if I could show you a quick but proven/effective hack that works for me and has some great science behind it? Will you use it? See and experience it for yourself? It’s called the “I feel excited” hack. And it uses the fact that anxiety and excitement are biochemically very much the same thing viewed through two different mental filters. So watch this quick video and enjoy getting past anxiety and actually making ti work for you. /episode/index/show/intopform/id/6026911

Exclusivity: The Power Of Offering Higher Value and Exclusive Products and Services 12/01/2017

Sharing Business DNA, Its Not What You Think 11/24/2017

Do You Need A Go Bag (or a “Get Home” or Car Bag? 11/17/2017

Do You Need A Go Bag (or a “Get Home” or Car Bag? Preparedness expert: Buster Tate Products you might want or need BK3 Knife and multi purpose tool Long Shelf Life individual H20 for go bags and home Water purification Chlor floc “life straw” and filter systems Why focus on preparedness? What does that mean? What’s a go bag? Why you must have a car bag and a get home bag and why a “Go Bag” is optional for most people The importance of the basics Preparedness and training The contents of the bag: Get Home Bag List: This list is our edited version of a list created by for a premade get home bag (your needs may vary based on geography and personal circumstances. You can buy a bag or build your own) 1 Compact Backpack (make sure it is durable and will survive circumstances. “cheap is not your friend in this environment.” Buster Tate 1 Hydration System (2.5 Liter) by Condor Outdoor (Consider the ability to carry AND purify water with a life straw) 1 Echo-Sigma 1-3 Day Provision Pack (Arid)  The Echo-Sigma Compact Provision Pack that comes standard is designed to feed one adult 2400 calories per day for one to three days (depending on activity level). Also included is 5 year storage emergency water. We use AquaBlox and Mainstay brand drinking water products.  If an extended state of emergency is anticipated and resupply unlikely, these supplies could be rationed for up to 3 days if water and energy discipline is high.  6 food ration Bars (400 Calories) 5 years storage of 2.5 lt water paper napkins We use both AquaBlox and Mainstay brand drinking water products depending upon availability. Pack contents may differ from what is shown. 1 Echo-Sigma Compact Survival Kit  A compact storehouse of many of the smaller items that can be easily lost if not given extra consideration. The Echo-Sigma Compact Survival Kit packs quite a punch when it comes to utility and efficiently using pack space.  1 Compass 1 Emergency Whistle 1 Emergency Blanket by Coghlan's 1 BIC Brand Butane Disposable Lighter 1 Magnesium Fire Starter with Flint Striker 40 Waterproof Matches by Coghlan's 1 Live Fire Sport Emergency Fire Starter 50 Inches of Duct Tape 1 Bottle of Water Purification Tablets by Coghlan's 2 Chemical Light Sticks by Coghlan's 2 BIC Brand Ball Point Pens 1 Pad of Paper 1 Set of Earplugs 1 4" scissors 1 3" tweezers 1 first aid card 20 plastic bandages 12 alcohol swabs 10 wet wipes 10 antiseptic swabs 3 sting relief swabs 4 pain relief tablets 2 3"x3" sterile gauze pads 1 2"x5yd. gauze roll 1 5"x9" sterile abdominal dressing 1 0.5"x2.5yd. roll of tape 1 disposable CPR faceshield Access to 14 exclusive online training videos 1 SOG Reactor Multi Tool with compound leverage During emergencies one frequently will need to turn, screw, cut, pry or file something in order to accomplish an important task. Having the right tool on hand can mean the difference between success and failure. 1 SOG DE-04 "Dark Energy" 231 Lumen Tactical Flashlight One of the most important pieces of gear that you will need at your fingertips during an emergency is a good, solid flashlight. Staying safe and productive during nighttime hours is essential, these are the tools you'll need 1 SOG DE-04 "Dark Energy" 231 Lumen Tactical Flashlight 550 Feet of Military Grade Paracord is one of the most versatile items that you can carry with you in any situation. Legendary for its many uses, you shouldn't leave home without it. The 550 in the designation denotes its rated strength (550lbs). The outer shell is rated for 200lbs while the 7 internal strands are rated for 50lbs each. 10 Extra Large Zip Ties (View Details) 1 Coghlan's Emergency Tube Tent 1 Emergency Poncho 1 Plexiglass Mirror for signaling help 1 Thermal Sleeping Bag Cocoon by Survival Industries 6 Premium AA Alkaline Batteries (guaranteed fresh for 7 years) 1 Pair Leather Work Gloves 2 N95 Rated Respirator Masks 1 Pair of Protective Goggles 2 Hand Warmers by Coghlan's the list goes on and on /episode/index/show/intopform/id/5953998

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