ADVANCE: Take Your Next Step with Mike Acker

INTRODUCTION TO EPISODE 24What is meant by self-leadership? Why is it an essential skill to cultivate as a leader?In this episode of the Advance Podcast, Mike interviews Andrew Bryant about all that and more. Andrew Bryant is a coach, leadership facilitator, motivational speaker, the Founder of Self-Leadership by Andrew Bryant and the author of 3 books on self-leadership, including The Self-Leadership Playbook. Passionate about all things leadership, Andrew has always kept himself open to new lessons and learnings on leadership, an attitude he expresses is crucial for success in any field: the growth mindset. In today's episode, he discusses cultivating essential skills and values like resilience and self-leadership to create a promising journey for yourself professionally. Listen in! EPISODE 24 SUMMARY & HIGHLIGHTS How to be human and deliver results at work at the same time?: 00:52As the US Navy SEALs say, slow is smooth and smooth is fast. Slowly getting to know your people, their motivations, your customers, shareholders, and stakeholders and connecting with them at a human level while delivering results is key. You cannot keep pushing for results without caring for your people or vice versa. The results will not be sustainable that way.What holds people from success?: 06:23A limiting mindset keeps people from success. According to Carol Dweck, someone with a fixed mindset will constantly defend their position instead of being open to learning, as is seen with a growth mindset. A growth mindset is about thinking of ways to do better, rehearse well, and not see yourself as a failure for not being perfect. Perfection impedes progress.How do people know if they have a fixed mindset? : 07:57Your mindset depends a lot on how you take feedback. Think, what would your first reaction be if somebody asked you if you could do something better? Would you act defensive, or would you be curious to find out if they have a positive intent? Curiosity is the growth mindset.What is self-leadership? : 9:10The definition of self-leadership is the practice of intentionally influencing your thinking, feeling and actions towards your objectives.How can you be more resilient?: 18:25Step one is to recognize that wherever you are right now, and whatever's happened to you, you have survived to date the worst day of your life. Resilience means it doesn't matter where you are. It's not about being down. It's about the realization that you will bounce back. QUOTES31:38-31:43“Feedback is the breakfast of champions, but sometimes it tastes like cardboard. We don't like it.”CONNECT WITH ANDREWWebsite| LinkedIn CONNECT WITH MIKEWebsite

INTRODUCTION TO EPISODE 22 Learning how to launch, grow, and successfully run your business? In today's episode of the Advance Podcast, learn the secrets to exceptional entrepreneurship from athlete-turned-entrepreneur Patrick Parker, who runs not one but five successful businesses!Over the last five years, Patrick has built out five different software companies, two of which are now venture-backed, and all of those are generating over a million dollars in revenues. Patrick's entrepreneurial journey started as a side gig and eventually turned into full-time business, beginning with a staffing company. When it first scaled to a million in revenue, he took 30% of the profits from that, launched a software company and grew that to 3 and a half million in revenue. Gradually, he's built and scaled many other businesses and has scaled them suitably to attain meaningful revenue.In today's episode, join Mike as he interviews Patrick about entrepreneurship lessons from his amazing journey and learn to manage your time in a way that helps you grow financially.EPISODE 22 SUMMARY & HIGHLIGHTSWhat did Patrick's athletics background teach him about leadership now that he's in the business space? : 2:15Patrick reveals that his athletics background prepared him greatly for the business space - helping him know everything from being coached, the ability to encourage and lift up teammates, to dedication and consistency and hard work and development of his personal skills. In his words, 'Going from being a player to still being involved with athletics and becoming a coach, and helping other people develop their skill sets, is exactly what leadership is about'. How does Patrick go about managing five companies? Patrick finds it a matter of prioritizing his time. His secret is perhaps being intentional and focused with each company. He also prepares a call list every night – a list of the things that he has to do in order for everything to continue moving forward. Patrick believes strongly in not falling prey to a comparison mindset. The problems only get bigger that way. Patrick's way of working is starting small, staying grounded, and continuing to imitate or mimic that across all his businesses. Another thing he does is document the lessons learned – documenting what works and what doesn't and building frameworks and processes that make your business easier. Patrick also works on his focus. He uses time blocking to protect his time and spend his energy and effort in the right direction. He also uses focus tools on his phone to temporarily block the apps distracting him from work.Patrick's blueprint for growing a profitable business: 12:47What's the purpose of a flywheel?: 25:17Patrick's closing advice for you: 32:04(Full shownotes at https://connect.stepstoadvance.com)CONNECT WITH PATRICKLinkedIn CONNECT WITH MIKELinkedIn

What does it mean to be a leader of integrity, and what does integrity mean in the workplace? Companies with a culture of integrity know that when the value drives employees, they understand and execute their responsibilities ethically and proactively, hold themselves accountable for their results, and are – in short – a true asset. In this episode of the Advance Podcast, Mike interviews coach and author Jeffrey Klubeck about the importance of integrity at work and how it powers organizational growth. They discuss ways to cultivate motivation, accountability and communication and dig into what it means to be an ethical leader. Watch out for Jeffrey's 3-step method of holding people accountable for their actions! EPISODE 20 SUMMARY & HIGHLIGHTS Where do you draw motivation from? 1:34 Motivation can come from outside sources and can also be internal. External motivation involves the strategies, tactics, and resources that inspire you to take action or move from a place of mistake or confusion. Internal motivation is knowing what works for you and making decisions that go with your mindset, values, attitudes, beliefs, fears, perspectives, faith, and everything that influences your insides. What is accountability? In what ways does accountability show up in our lives? 8:55Accountability can sound confrontational and almost aggressive sometimes. Because when you confront somebody on their story, commitments, or report their work, performance, results, or mindset, it involves coming face-to-face with a report of their work. But it's far from it. Accountability is the willingness to be vulnerable.What do you do when you don't like the person you're holding accountable?11:41Move from the point of dwelling in judgment and replace that with questions. Appreciative inquiry, mutual discovery, rapport, strategy building, offering debriefing. Drop your dislike for the person while you're assessing them professionally. Use communication strategies, techniques, and questions to get to that point.What strategies can an accountability coach employ to hold employees accountable for their actions?15:07Jeffrey's three-step approach for holding people accountable for their actions involves:Getting people to own their results or actions. Ask questions compassionately but know that you're going to get answers always short of the 100% accountable point.The next point is what you can call leverage. At this point, you can make them understand the consequence of doing or not doing something.Get a de-commitment or a recommitment. Help them commit to something they can achieve.What does it mean to be an ethical leader?28:49An ethical leader tries to motivate people toward pleasure instead of away from pain. Their principles, when simply stated, can be like, 'Don't lie, don't cheat, don't steal'. If you can lead people towards pleasure without lying, cheating, or stealing, or encouraging them to lie, cheat or steal, you're closer to an ethical leader than a boss, a manager, a director, a supervisor, or direct, according to Jeffrey.(Full shownotes at https://connect.stepstoadvance.com)

There are good employees and there are excellent employees. There are also those employees you know aren't performing well enough to stay or progress in your company. But to begin with, on what basis do you assess your employees' performance? What makes a five-star employee? Does a two-star employee have to stay a two-star employee? How can they grow themselves? Find answers to all those questions in this episode of the Advance podcast with Mike and his guest Danielle Mulvey. Danielle reveals the ingredients that make a five-star employee – the irreplaceable one who delivers consistent results for the company. With 25 years of experience as an entrepreneur, Danielle comes equipped with all the knowledge regarding hiring the right people for your team, letting go of those employees who don't fit well, and the metrics to assess each of them for their skills, ability, and performance. She also shares how she does the market analysis and competition to provide adequate pay to her employees. Listen in! EPISODE 19  SUMMARY & HIGHLIGHTS What is the biggest mistake entrepreneurs make when hiring their first few significant hires? 1:33 They take everything that they don't want to do, or they're not good at, and assign it to the new hire. The problem is, often, it becomes too much for the other person. What is a five-star employee? 9:18 A five-star employee represents the top 15% of available talent in the market for the role. A major hiring mistake made by businesses is not casting a very wide net for applicants. Hiring from a small pool means your chances of getting that 5-star employee are also less.Does a two-star employee always have to be a two-star employee?19:21A two-star employee is two-star only for that role. Danielle and her team have identified 11 Universal qualities that are key to being a five-star employee – some are coded red, which means they're very difficult to change, two are coded green, and the rest are coded gray. The green ones are relatively easy to change, and the gray ones also can be changed, but maybe with some coaching or help from a hiring manager. The red ones are the toughest to change.How much time should we give employees to improve their performance before they're shown the door?24:20In the shortest, possibly two weeks. Also, we don't need it to take six months. The reason is, we're all creatures of comfort. If we can show up to a place and the people there are relatively polite to us, and we get a paycheck every other week, we'll stay within that comfort zone forever. To a certain degree, you have to make it a bit uncomfortable for those employees so they're ready to move on and can move on quickly.(Full shownotes at https://connect.stepstoadvance.com)

INTRODUCTION TO EPISODE 18 Have you ever considered what kind of leader you are or would make? Do you work best under chaos, or are you someone who works best when things are clear? Can you multitask?  Whatever your leadership type, this episode would be helpful for you. In this episode of the Advance podcast, Mike interviews Robert Jordan about the four different styles of leadership he has described in his book, ‘Right Leader, Right Time'. You'll learn what makes the four kinds of leaders, their strengths and weaknesses, and how they benefit an organization.  EPISODE 18 SUMMARY & HIGHLIGHTS Why do some big leaders fail? 1:35 It's because after doing one thing well, they assume they can make each other great too. That's not true of any human being, not just leaders. Also, they don't bring another person to run a different lane. They keep in the same lane that made them famous or successful in the first place.  What are the four leadership styles, according to Robert? 6:43 The four leadership styles include:●      Fixer: A fixer is someone who keeps on running in to fix things. So once they've had a successful experience, like, fixing a client relationship, a division, a company, a community or industry, and it has reached the state it had to, they are going to get bored, and they need to move on to the next troubled situation.●      Builder: A builder is great at building systems, processes, products, services, and people and taking a small team to a dominant position. Once that is achieved, they will get bored, and most builders will seek the next product company with which to scale again.●      Artist: Artists see the world as a blank canvas. They are driven to create, sometimes at their own peril. Maybe it's the risk of career, fame, money, or just a creative urge to get satisfied.●      Strategist: A strategist is a leader who operates at scale. They work in highly complex and large organizations.What are some strengths and weaknesses of a fixer?10:48A fixer is very linear in their thinking and way of working. They are laser-focused on the problem at hand. But they cannot have five things happening around them once at the same time. It isn't optimal for their performance.How does an artist work?15:21An artist convinces the team, builds a compelling product, case, or service, and gets it ready to be tested in the world. How can a leader assess their own strengths and weaknesses?33:29Listen to podcasts like this to learn leadership from top-level leaders of different companies. There is also a leadership assessment called FEMS leadership assessment – a three-minute profiling test used to determine your leadership style, which you can check out.CONNECT WITH ROBERTLinkedInCONNECT WITH MIKELinkedIn

Many of us are living in fear: fear of something in the future or regret and resentment about things in the past. However, if we live in the present moment, we can achieve peace of mind despite any uncertainty.Amy Wong joins Mike in this episode of the Advance Podcast to discuss how to live in the present and on purpose. Amy explains the cause of our dissatisfaction, resentment, and anxiety in life and shares some actionable insights on overcoming them, which she has also discussed in her book, Living On Purpose. Amy also talks about the link between our primary objective at any moment and fear. She explains how to live a fearless life by working on understanding and reinforcing your primary objective with compassion and dedication.EPISODE 17  SUMMARY & HIGHLIGHTSHow prevalent is Imposter Syndrome in America?1:35Imposter Syndrome is more prevalent than most of us admit. There's so much shame wrapped around it that people find it hard to accept they've experienced something like that. How can you find peace amid this time of uncertainty?5:46Anxiety lies in our thoughts about the future; it is not of the moment. We intend to be three steps ahead or replay what happened in the past that we forget to be in the moment. It takes practice to become present to reduce anxiety levels even during these times of uncertainty.What can you do to live in the present?09:42One thing you can do is use mantras to pull you back to what you started with. Another thing is meditation. It helps you stay present throughout the day.How can you find more purpose and meaning in life?15:58In the end, all that we want is a desired feeling. Finding meaning is about asking yourself how you want to feel about your job, role, or responsibilities.  How can people become more fearless in life, business, and relationships?24:56We all have a primary objective at any moment. Due to our psychology and neurobiology, that objective shifts to something that doesn't usually serve us sometimes. Nervousness is a symptom of an unintentional stance at any moment. If you're feeling scared or nervous at any moment, it's because of this shift in your primary objective. It takes a lot of compassion to claim that stance back. You've to channel your eloquence, innovation, and creativity in a productive way to live a bold, powerful life.(Full show notes at https://connect.stepstoadvance.com)RESOURCES MENTIONED ON THE PODCASTBook: Living On Purpose by Amy Eliza WongCONNECT WITH AMY WONGWebsiteCONNECT WITH MIKELinkedIn

If you think you know enough about the power of resilience, you probably haven't heard Stanley Andrisse's story. After a series of wrong choices early on in life got him into prison – for 10 years, he knew it would take nothing but strong will, determination, and untethered resilience to succeed in his dream of becoming a doctor. Fast forward to today, Stanley is a Ph.D. and MBA holder, a doctor, author, and entrepreneur, who aims to change the lives of others with criminal convictions “through advocacy, mentoring, and policy change”.Join Mike and Stanley in this episode as the latter explains his story of triumph through tough times and the indomitable power of resilience, hard work, and faith in transforming your life. Labeled a criminal at just 14 for selling drugs, Stanley explains the challenges he faced in keeping his dreams alive amid all the negative opinions people surrounded him with.EPISODE 15  SUMMARY & HIGHLIGHTSHow do you understand your inner strength?27:47Do not let outside interference define or determine you. Do not let another person's opinion harm you. Be a source of good.How did Stanley manage to get his Ph.D. despite being in prison?30:22Stanley read research articles and papers day in and out in prison, dreaming and working hard to become a doctor. He then put together applications for education in multiple colleges; all except one were rejected. St. Louis University was the only university that accepted his admission after being released. He managed to complete his MBA and Ph.D. simultaneously, as the topper in class. He moved on later to Johns Hopkins University, where he became the number one in Endocrinology.What do you do when the going gets tough?39:02Lean into your higher power. Hold onto your integrity. Do the right thing even if it brings you harm. Root into good beliefs and faith. Have patience and condition yourself to see multiple outcomes.QUOTES41:14-41:34“For me, I kind of had plans, A, B, C, D, E, and so forth. Like, if I wasn't going to get A, I was going to be okay. And so I think that's one of the tough things like people having their eyes set on a prize and not getting that is considered a failure. And for me, I had multiple things that I was going towards.”13:53-14:11“For most people that go through incarceration, it's like it just beached you down in terms of psychologically mentally, emotionally, to where you no longer have any feeling of self-worth or self-value or purpose.”RESOURCES MENTIONED ON THE PODCASTBook: From Prison Cells To Ph.D. by Stanley AndrisseCONNECT WITH STANLEYWebsiteCONNECT WITH MIKELinkedIn

It's not always easy to get things done, especially when people have different opinions or when they disagree on the organizational goals or processes. Most of us would rather avoid conflicts and arguments, but there are enough reasons you should sometimes not, which we're exploring today.Join Mike in this episode of the Advance Podcast as he interviews Liz Kislik, a consultant, coach, speaker, facilitator, and contributor to Harvard Business Review, Forbes, and Entrepreneur. She speaks with Mike about the need for conflicts in the workplace and how to conduct them in a healthy way. She most importantly discusses how to have difficult conversations without patronizing any of the parties involved so you can come back to them later also. Conflicts, she shares, are necessary as they help represent different views and opinions. Often, the most worthy reasons and suggestions are revealed through them only. Listen in!EPISODE 16  SUMMARY & HIGHLIGHTSHow can you explain our aversion to conflicts?4:58Firstly, any conflict generally brings some discomfort, which no person would want to invite into their life. Secondly, we fear hurting another person. We fear being seen as the bad person.Why are conflicts sometimes necessary?10:47Despite the differences, you get to represent and acknowledge suggestions and opinions. Sometimes, getting to the worthy reasons too requires conflict.How do you resolve conflicts in the workplace with someone senior to you?19:23Don't just rely on the data, but use a good story to back it up. Data and story work hand in hand.What are some deal-breakers in dealing with conflict?26:12Don't insult anybody. Don't speak to anyone in patronizing ways. Try to avoid such conversations until you're ready to preserve the ability to go back.What are the most common conflicts in workplaces?31:56The most common conflicts in workplaces are due to irreconcilable goals. This is when different departments have different goals and cannot resolve their differences together.What are the three things you can do to handle conflicts healthily?38:33Just because you think it's not fair doesn't mean it actually isn't.39:32Manage yourself so that you can always go back to a conversation.39:44If you find yourself in a conflict that is moral for you, where you know what's happening is wrong but still hard to come to the surface, find someplace that's better for you.QUOTES24:25-24:31“Sometimes, the only thing you can do is preserve for yourself the right to come back again.”35:30-35:46“The other thing that can happen with pride or ego might be another way to call is that, sometimes, (when) people think it's not worth it, this person's pride or ego will be affected.”CONNECT WITH LIZWebsite | LinkedIn | TwitterCONNECT WITH MIKELinkedIn

If your business is struggling to keep pace with the rapidly changing digital landscape, today's episode would teach you how the agile method of working was invented to help you overcome it.Join Mike in this episode of the Advance Podcast as he interviews Simon Severino, a Business Strategy Advisor for SaaS or Services Businesses. Simon shares the common bottlenecks entrepreneurs experience in their journeys and how to overcome them using the methods explained in his book, Strategy Sprints: 12 Ways to Accelerate Growth for an Agile Business. Discussing first-hand the essential habits and methodologies for business growth, acceleration, and development, Simon helps you prepare for the highly volatile, high rate of change working environment using the modern agile ways of working.EPISODE 14 SUMMARY & HIGHLIGHTSWhat are some habits you can implement to overcome the common bottlenecks experienced by entrepreneurs in their journey?06:55Allocating time for the right thing - Have a daily habit, a weekly habit, and a monthly habit. Your daily habit reflects on how you're allocating your time.08:05The weekly habit is reflecting on the information – creating a dashboard of marketing numbers, sales numbers, and others from different departments.10:10The monthly habit is to be your strategy call. Think: Are you doing the right thing at the right pace? What are your competitors doing? What else can your customers do if they don't work with you? How do you distinguish speed and velocity?13:08Velocity means speed including direction. The distinction intends to ask: how many people have a clear vision of where they're heading in the next three years? Without vision, you might be running a super-fast marathon in the wrong direction. Have your vision written down for the next three years, ninety days.What are the benefits of having your vision written down?10:11Simplification, de-risking, revenue increase, and increase in employee motivation are a few of the many benefits of writing down your vision for the next few weeks, months, and years. How do you distinguish agile and rigid methods?25:49Agile methods help you combine or recombine the same elements whenever they are needed, and it's simple to do so. Agility means you have the same rate of change inside as outside. If your rate of change inside is lower than the rate of change outside, then you are not agile; you are rigid. You'll encounter problems in the supply chain, geopolitics, market volatility, and the like, meaning you won't be able to navigate the business for longer.How do you make the big decisions in life?30:04Stay in nature for as long as you want without a goal. Let the answer come to you in a moment of clarity. Center yourself; when you have clarity, you get to sprint from there.QUOTES05:19-05:29“Sprint is a very specific method. It focuses on agility and resilience because that's what you need in tough times.”RESOURCES MENTIONED ON THE PODCASTBook: Strategy Sprints: 12 Ways to Accelerate Growth for an Agile Business by Simon SeverinoCONNECT WITH SIMONLinkedInCONNECT WITH MIKELinkedIn

At just 11 years old, Cody Lowry had learned to face rejections and discovered the power of persistence in transforming your life. Launching his career as a salesperson, Cody grew in knowledge and worth over the years, taking up multiple roles as an author, speaker, entrepreneur, consultant, and "schmoozer". The last one is also a concept we're breaking down in detail today that Cody also talks about in his book, SCHMOOZE - What they should teach at Harvard Business School.In this episode, Mike talks to Cody about his life story, including starting in poverty and auditioning at Saturday Night Live. Mike and Cody talk about the lessons learned from the latter's personal and professional journeys, including discovering 'schmoozing' and making it a characteristic for success. The duo touches on building healthy professional relationships and how schmoozing helps with it.Listen up now!EPISODE 13 SUMMARY & HIGHLIGHTSWhat does it mean to schmooze?01:24Schmooze means to chat idly in a friendly, persuasive manner to gain a friendship or advantage. Schmoozing is about that winning smile, the healthy first impression, and building relationships.What are the keys to effective ‘schmoozing'?Being genuine is the key to winning and influencing people, or ‘schmoozing'.How to not get discouraged by rejections?15:18Realize that things will get better ultimately. Build relationships, get your clients to trust you, and never let them down.Why is the practice of relationship-building often ignored?25:17The reason could be that we're now totally ensconced in this whole social world, which is detrimental to the younger generations, who're more at risk of suicide and other mental health issues. We're more disconnected today than ever before.What does it mean to develop yourself or be yourself?28:18By being more open than they are generally, seek out people, find out their stories, and learn from them. You don't get a second chance to make a first impression. Be more aggressive than you are now and ask pertinent questions that would affect your life and end up with a job.QUOTES15:56-16:04“Sales is about perseverance. And it's about sticking with and it's about understanding that a lot of times, it's a numbers game.”39:31-39:34“May the schmooze be with you.”CONNECT WITH CODYLinkedIn | BookCONNECT WITH MIKELinkedIn

The world has changed, and with it, the way people lead. The days of the commanding leader are over. Modern leaders need to be firm but kind, they need to build trust, be open to input from others, and support their team. In other words, they need to be value-driven and effective communicators. This is true of leaders at all levels, from business CEOs to first-time managers. It's about being a leader for the 21st century.Join in to this episode with Mike and his guest Lisa Morton, who's the Founder and CEO of Roland Dransfield, as they talk about the essential leadership skills for leaders of today's times. They stress the importance of holding onto company values and implementing them externally and internally in your organization. They also talk about the importance of authenticity and how to lead yourself forward with it when building relationships.Listen to today's episode to learn more!EPISODE 12 SUMMARY & HIGHLIGHTSWhat is meant by “leaders create leaders”?07:34The "leaders great leaders" principle says that everybody can be a leader and that we're all leaders in some way. If you propagate the myth that you have to have a certain set of characteristics or personality to be a leader, you're blocking out all the great leaders around you. No job is too small for a leader. If you allow your younger employees to lead, you'll realize that they wouldn't distinguish jobs – no job is too small for them.How do you create leaders with both firmness and kindness of behavior?11:32By not compromising on your values for even the most well-paying of clients. Continual learning, learning from mistakes and not brooding over them, and imbibing the Japanese art of Kintsugi (you mend something broken with gold - it becomes more beautiful than it was before the accident) would help you become a leader who's both firm in principles and kind in behavior.How do you communicate your company's values internally and externally?15:07Firstly, it's important to understand that no employee would be able to enforce your company's values by mere rote learning - it takes time. The values have to become a part of the organization's DNA; the language used and the activities carried out should reflect them. When working with clients, you would want to make sure your team is on board and has been part of the process. It's good to refresh those values.What advice do you give your clients about relationship-building?31:28(Full show notes at https://connect.stepstoadvance.com)ABOUT LISA MORTONLisa Morton is the CEO and founder of Roland Dransfield, one of the most established communications agencies in Manchester, England. For the last 24 years, Lisa has worked to forge meaningful, lasting business relationships that create both business growth and social impact alongside her team of award-winning strategists, journalists, creatives, digital, and social media specialists. Now with a London office and a partnership with an LA-based agency, of which the founder is a former Roland Dransfield team member, Lisa is continuing to expand Roland Dransfield and explore new paths for growth.CONNECT WITH LISALinkedInCONNECT WITH MIKELinkedIn

Networking is a competence for every employee or entrepreneur looking to advance their career. The better you are at building relationships, the higher your chances of getting yourself promoted. Also, the expertise to build relationships can be learned. It's a skill you can develop, as will be discussed in this episode of the Advance podcast.In this episode, Mike speaks with Michael about competence and incompetence in business. While many of us are looped in thought that repeatedly questions another's competence, we fail to notice how to use the thinking for the better and see what we can do better personally. Learn how to do that and how to also build the two most necessary competencies in the world today: communication and networking. Listen up for Michael's 3-part framework and their take on whether networking is positive or negative!EPISODE 11 SUMMARY & HIGHLIGHTSWhat is meant when people say incompetence prevails?04:12A lot of it has to do with blaming. There are a lot of primary skills to be learned from it.How can we pull this talk around incompetence for the better?07:32The first point is to be curious. Take a look at it and learn from those who're called incompetent.07:56Look at yourself. Think about what you could be doing better or the skills you could learn to improve yourself. What are some competencies that get you promoted?10:11Communication - It's what goes into the making and sustaining of healthy relationships.Networking - It's what helps things happen. Your ability to navigate a company for its resources matters and happens in the form of networking.How can you go about networking without coming across as unfair or negative?12:16If you use your networking to get your team the resources it needs or helps it grow by building meaningful relationships, you're also given respect for your effort. Networking done in that manner or for that purpose isn't remotely close to dirty.What does it mean to develop your pathway to be promoted?16:32It's about building healthy relationships and creating influence. Some people call it self-promoting, while some others call it internal marketing. Networking helps build relationships with key people. That could be called politics in some form, but what matters is how it helps you grow.Can you talk a little about your 3-part framework?24:20In short, the 3-part framework says,Rock - It's all about getting real.Map - It's about getting strategic.Snowball - It's about getting doing. Your endeavor starts snowballing only once you start doing.What is meant by power?31:14(Full show notes at https://connect.stepstoadvance.com)ABOUT MICHAEL WENDEROTHMichael Wenderoth is an Executive Coach that helps leaders ethically leverage power and politics to ascend. He has written for Harvard Business Review, Forbes and is the author of the book, Get Promoted: What You're Really Missing at Work That's Holding You Back. Prior to becoming an executive coach, Michael served 20 years in senior roles on break-through businesses in the U.S., China, and Europe. Michael holds an MBA from Stanford Business School and trained as an executive coach at Columbia University.CONNECT WITH MICHAELLinkedInCONNECT WITH MIKELinkedIn

Do you believe that stories are the best way to get your message across? Maybe you should. Stories are more than just a craft; they're a fundamental part of how we communicate with each other and the world.In this episode of Advance, we're joined by author, speaker, and facilitator Mike Carpenter, who discusses all the power and scope of storytelling. They discuss what happens in people's minds when listening to stories and how to put your message across while engaging in storytelling by speaking as much as you have to - not less, not more.If you think storytelling is only for businesses or brands, there's so much more you need to know about it. Tune in to this episode to have a look into it.EPISODE 10 SUMMARY & HIGHLIGHTSWho needs storytelling?04:39Stories are beneficial for anyone wanting to make real human connections. It helps people remember more information, more accurately.Why do people love stories so much?10:07Storytelling induces three brain reactions:Oxytocin increase:Storytelling increases what's called the trust hormone production in you, helping them identify with the joy and the pain you describe.Cortisol increase:An increase in cortisol means people pay more attention to what you say.DopamineDopamine, or the feel-good hormone, is released when your audience gets a satisfactory resolution to the end of the story you tell. It helps them remember the information better and feel good about it.How do you keep your stories just the right length?18:54By intentionally crafting your story. Your story is not just a complete narrative start-to-finish of what happened. It's about getting your point or message across to the people listening and engaging them through the story.QUOTES07:22-07:42“Many people will just throw stories out there without really realizing what kind of impact they have. My approach is different. My approach is for a very specific context, I am not against storytelling – I think it's the greatest thing that humankind has created. What I am in favor of is being smarter about it. And that's why I say business storytelling 1.0, in the way we've traditionally used it, is kind of dead... And we have to realize that what we need is better alignment.”25:04-25:10“We love stories because we live stories. The stories are our life.”ABOUT MARK CARPENTERMark Carpenter is an author, facilitator, consultant, speaker and serial storyteller. Telling stories since childhood, Mark leveraged his ability into a career in marketing communications and public relations and later as a college professor and corporate facilitator. His storytelling became even more purposeful and effective after researching and writing the best-selling book “Master Storytelling: How to Turn Your Experiences Into Stories that Teach, Lead, and Inspire.” RESOURCES MENTIONED ON THE PODCASTBook: Master Storytelling​​ by Mark Carpenter Book: Will by Will Smith CONNECT WITH MARKLinkedInCONNECT WITH MIKELinkedIn

Storytelling has, for the longest time, remained a fundamental component of business and culture. But in the last few years, it has undergone a transition to strategic narratives, as our guest Guiallaume Wiatr reveals today. What explains this change?Join in this episode to know as Guiallaume Wiatr talks about it in great detail. Comparing business storytelling with strategic narratives, Guiallaume explains how companies are growing beyond the former way so that it doesn't only engage customers but can assign them a role to help them connect with you better.Listen in to learn the differences, benefits, and importance of strategic narratives!EPISODE 9 [SEASON 2] SUMMARY & HIGHLIGHTSWhy does Guiallaume believe business storytelling is dead, and why does he encourage building a strategic narrative instead?04:10The storytelling approach is great for companies selling a product already self-positioned. It assumes you know how people perceive you outside. But things are different when you are in uncharted territory – that's when it gets complicated. Your company could have many stories – customer stories, your personal story as a leader, your team stories, and what you do out there in the community can be a big network of stories. The difficulty is making sense of that system of stories: what's the common denominator? That's when you build a system of stories. And that's what is meant by a strategic narrative.What are the key differences between telling a story and then building a narrative?11:51A story aims at engagement. It wants to connect with people and draw them in. But if you look around, most companies do not just create stories and engage audiences, but rather as participants – they will find them a role. And they will bring them into what they're trying to achieve. Why are strategic narratives so vital during this juncture in the business world?16:56Firstly, the way our society works has evolved quite a bit. People don't want just to be passive consumers of brands who throw a product at them. Secondly, people today pay for a story, for a narrative. They want to be associated with brands that serve a strong narrative. How do you make sure your narrative sticks? 25:31By constantly making the connection between the narrative and how it shows up, how you activate it and have scrutiny over how you talk. QUOTES07:22-07:42“Many people will just throw stories out there without really realizing what kind of impact they have. So my approach is different. My approach is for a very specific context, I am not against storytelling – I think it's the greatest thing that humankind has created. What I am in favor of is being smarter about it. And that's why I say business storytelling 1.0, in the way we've traditionally used it, is kind of dead... And we have to realize that what we need is better alignment.21:33-21:39“Another difference between the story and narrative (is that) the story has happened already. It's past, it has occurred. And the narrative is still way more future-oriented.”RESOURCES MENTIONED ON THE PODCASTBook: Will by Will Smith Books by Patrick LencioniBook: Strategic Narrative by Guiallaume WiatrCONNECT WITH GUIALLAUME LinkedInCONNECT WITH MIKELinkedIn

A lot has been talked about the importance and power of public speaking. But do you know it has a marketing benefit too? With the right preparation and a few hacks, public speaking can be turned into a powerful marketing strategy that can help you get your business off the ground and make your name known in your industry.Today, Mike interviews established public speaker and coach Odell Bizell. Odell shares his take on the marketing benefits of public speaking and the ways to become an effective public speaker, including the mistakes to avoid and the points to keep in mind. He shares 4 effective techniques to master the craft, explaining how to drive engagement and generate marketing benefits for people through public speaking. Learn also about Odell's path to becoming a public speaker and what drew him towards the profession.EPISODE 8 [SEASON 2] SUMMARY & HIGHLIGHTSExplain the marketing aspect of speaking.05:25Most speakers are good talkers but not good listeners. Listening to your audience gets you content from them– the people you want to speak with, teach or sell. Another mistake people make is not speaking for the audience. You must consider your audience's demographics, interests, and expectations and deliver accordingly.What are some mistakes people make when speaking to an audience?08:29Most speakers are good talkers, but not good listeners. Listening to your audience gets you content from your audience itself – the people you want to speak with, or teach, or sell. Another mistake people make is not speaking for the audience. You must consider the demographics, interests, and expectations of your audience and deliver accordingly.What makes a great business professional great at speaking?11:55A great speaker can speak to the audience so well that the audience doesn't even have to say anything. This is an achievement one can reach in two ways:12:44Know your audience and insert yourself into their conversation.13:02Practice more than you perform.What are some public speaking techniques you'd like to share?29:54Start well.The importance of a good starting presentation: It is best to create shock or excitement in your audience's minds and draw them to the conversation when starting.31:21      2. Start with a quote. Start with a quote. Expand on something that makes them go ‘wow'.32:03        3. Drive engagement.Drive engagement. The more you get people to do something, the better they're likely to buy. Ask them to sign up somewhere or perform an action when public speaking.32:59     4. Be honest.Practice complete and utter honesty. Give your audience a choice – to be engaged or not.Closing thoughts by Odell.36:59If you want to scale your business and make more money than you ever thought you could, public speaking is a good option. Because it is the only skill that you can buy, rent, and sell.QUOTES17:27-17:36“Public speaking is performative, but it's not like the performing arts. It's not like acting. It's not like athletics (and) all of those things.”20:39-20:54“Every market has industries that have associations, and everybody that hires a speaker usually is a professional in some form or fashion. All you have to do is find that association, and then you super-serve an underserved association.”CONNECT WITH ODELLWebsiteLinkedInCONNECT WITH MIKELinkedIn

Having a vision — and being able to communicate that vision to your team — is key to being a great leader. There's an undeniable link between speaking and leadership, knowing which is key to business success.In this episode of the Advance Podcast, Mike talks to you about the 3 essential questions to ask yourself before attending a speaking event and how they help determine the purpose, importance, and effectiveness of your speaking. You'll learn about why you must be led by a vision – be it in communication or leadership – and how having one helps your team stay focused too. You'll also learn about Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), their benefits, and limitations. Listen in!EPISODE 07 SUMMARY & HIGHLIGHTSWhat are the three questions you must ask yourself every time you start to speak with people?02:42The three questions one must ask themselves before communicating to an audience are: ‘Who am I talking to?', ‘What am I saying?', and ‘Why am I doing this?'.‘What am I saying' is an important question to ask because many people get into some form of public speaking having no idea what they want to put across to people. They have a few points they have gathered, but they aren't clear how or in which manner they can put it out for people to understand.The ‘Why am I doing this' question is even more important because it gives you clarity of purpose – it should ultimately come down to something personal, not something production-oriented. When it does, you'll know why you need to communicate effectively.What are KPIs? What are the benefits and downsides of it? How does it explain the parallel between communication and leadership?18:53KPIs are short for Key Performance Indicators, which was popularized when Dr. Kaplan and Dr. Norton created the balanced business scorecard. They are like the SMART goal for business and assess if an employee is performing well as they should be. KPIs give you a lot of clarity by enabling you to measure the success, the direction, the activities, the outcomes and the productivity of the people that you lead. The one limitation of KPIs is that they can't measure the ‘why' – why people are doing or not doing something. For instance, during these days of the Great Resignation (as many of us choose to call it), there's a lot of talk about employees leaving companies, but the ‘why' behind this remains uncertain. Knowing the ‘why', whether it's in communication or leadership, is essential to move forward.KEY QUOTES:04:58-05:15“Knowing the why behind what you say gives purpose. So knowing that gives clarity and direction as to what you're going to say. And knowing the why gives you purpose, it gives you conviction, it gives you belief that what you're saying actually matters.”06:20-06:32“The difficulty with KPIs is that they can give direction but not purpose. They can tell people what to clearly do and goals, but it won't tell them why they're doing it.”RESOURCES MENTIONED ON THE PODCASTBOOK: Write To Speak by Mike Ackerhttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B081TVZZYXCONNECT WITH MIKELinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikeackerdotcom

What is the most effective way to communicate with your direct reports? Have you considered guiding them with questions, helping them figure out solutions and improvement ways by themselves, or do you still follow the traditional lead-with-answers methodology? In this episode, Mike discusses why the former method is the most effective in leading your team with confidence while naturally instilling in them qualities of accountability and responsibility. You'll learn the three Ps to asking questions to your direct reports and the four Cs to parenting levels and see how the two combine in effective leadership.Learn to become a natural leader to your direct reports in this episode. Tune in now!EPISODE 6 SUMMARY & HIGHLIGHTSWhat must you keep in mind when speaking to direct reports?04:52Lead them through questions. You don't have to tell your direct reports what to do because they can often figure it out themselves; maybe sometimes, you've to direct them towards it. The 3 Ps to asking questions helps include:[05:38]Psychology: When you're being asked questions, your brain tries to get ready to respond to them. That means, even if the brain were in a passive state until then, it would jump to being active when asked questions.[08:44] Problem: Answering someone's questions requires humility and time. Initially, a sense of pride may come over, which is a problem, but as humility gradually replaces your problem of pride, you'll realize how beneficial it is to lead them through questions.[11:17]Process: Figure out how you must ask questions. When done properly, asking questions is a highly effective way of leading.How do you lead people through questions the right way?11:38Go slow: If you've been the answer-teller all this while, it might take time for your people to adjust to this new attitude. Implement the practice slowly so that everyone is comfortable with the changes.12:14Go methodological: Have a flow of questions. Go from one point to the next. The four Cs of parenting: Commander, Coach, Counselor, Consultant, explain what the different parenting levels teach you about work and leadership.What are the four Cs of parenting?12:37Commander: This is the stage where you're telling your children what to do. You're the boss in charge of their actions, helping them understand right and wrong.13:21Coach: After early middle school, your role with your child becomes that of a coach. You help them see the pros and cons, weigh the good and bad, and help them understand the implications of different choices. In this stage, you're helping them manage the outcome.14:12Counselor: As kids get older, you won't weigh the pros and cons of a situation with them. You help them process what they think is a good idea.14:50Consultant: The last stage is that of a consultant. This comes at the point where your kids have moved out of the house and ask your opinion about situations. They might take it or leave it, but your role as a consultant is to be a good advisor to them.KEY QUOTES:01:37-01:51“If your speaking is higher, then people will assume that your leadership is equally as high. But if your speaking is lower, and even though you're a great leader able to get things done, then people will assume that your leadership is much lower.”07:16-07:29“When you ask a question, instead of just telling them what to do, start putting it back on them and leading them through a series of questions… What happens (then) is they start having to take ownership of the issue.”CONNECT WITH MIKELinkedIn

Why do you think so many of us use fillers in communication, stammer when stressed, and are unable to reach the audience's minds through our words? Because sometimes, we need some time to think before we say something. And the best way (we think) we can buy that is by using fillers or other inefficiencies in communication. Today, Mike coaches podcaster and content creator Adam Macias on communication, LIVE on the Advance Podcast. Kill your fillers and communication discrepancies as Mike chats with Adam about his life and business to demonstrate the different ways in which ineffective communication show up and how to avoid them. You'll learn to slow down your speech (naturally), pause whenever necessary, and do a simple exercise to help you with your communication quickly! Tune in.EPISODE 5 [SEASON 2] SUMMARY & HIGHLIGHTSWhat are the four things you need to avoid in communication?05:19The four things to avoid in communication are:1)    Fillers2)    Elongation3)    Stammer4)    Garbage words How do you avoid using fillers?09:50Replace fillers with pauses. Our vocal speech is very different from a written speech. When speaking, we need to pause more often in our expression and allow little gaps in between. How do you slow down your speech?14:45Practice pauses. You might think that makes you talk a lot slower and that adding up words makes you speak faster, but it does not. If you think your pause would take long, ask for a second.What is the mirror exercise for communication?21:45Stand in front of the mirror for two to ten minutes and read a book. You'll be able to assess your body language and way of communicating effectively using this method.KEY QUOTES:09:25-09:28“The more we think about it, the more we want to do it.”19:00-19:03“Pauses allow you to stop before you say something you shouldn't.”20:20-20:35“If you'll just take a moment and fill up your belly, then you'll feel more peace, and you'll have more power, and pauses allow you to do that. Pauses allow you to analyze the room; pauses allow you to smile.”CONNECT WITH ADAMDaily MisinformerLinkedInCONNECT WITH MIKELinkedIn  ----------(Full show notes & more resources visit connect.stepstoadvance.com) Check out the YouTube at:https://www.youtube.com/c/ADVANCEwithMikeAcker ----------To book Mike Acker to speak to your group or facilitate a specific workshop, email:media@stepstoadvance.com---------- 

Technology is progressing at an exploding pace. Since the pandemic, remote conversations and conferences have increased, something that wasn't normal to most of us before. But whatever the cause, we're all forced to adapt to the change. And it starts with learning effective virtual communication.In this episode of the Advance Podcast, Mike teaches you how to make the best out of virtual conferencing and communication by sharing the three specifics to doing it right. He teaches you to convert the virtual communication “obstacle” into an opportunity to have meaningful conversations with people anywhere, from anywhere. Listen in to learn more!EPISODE 4 SUMMARY & HIGHLIGHTSWhy do many people find virtual communication challenging? 03:42 There are two different modes in which people operate: the social mode and the solo mode. In the social mode, even if you're an introvert, you're in the mental state to talk to people openly. You're attuned to your ears, body, and are fully physically present in the conference room or sales meeting or wherever you are in the social setting.When in solo mode, you're with your computer doing your job, managing tasks for yourself by yourself. When the pandemic happened, everything started to occur at the same time, your social mode started to run over your solo mode. People started behaving the same way in social mode even when in solo mode. That kind of behavior de-energizes the whole room.How can you improve virtual communication?08:031. Get a decent setup. It doesn't have to be expensive, but it has to be decent. Look professional.  Invest some time in a backdrop, get some lights behind the camera, blackout curtains for any windows that add light where you don't want it, a good camera, and a microphone.11:262. Eye-contact. Be able to speak to the other people in the eye. Set up the lighting and background in a way that's less distractive. Position your camera in a way that you're able to look at it while you speak.13:553. Energy-level. Treat yourself well, aim at putting our best foot forward, give your best shot. Use gestures and good communication practices to sound energetic and present.KEY QUOTES:06:59-07:05“Anytime you're virtual conferencing, start acting like you're with people.”07:42-07:46“A whole bunch of people being de-energized, de-energizes the room.”18:39-18:53“Zoom is an obstacle and an opportunity. An obstacle because we're not right here together holding hands. I'm not doing this training in person. It's also an opportunity because I can do this training for you wherever you are and have viewers around the world.”RESOURCES MENTIONED ON THE PODCAST●      BOOK: Speak & Meet Virtuallyby Mike AckerCONNECT WITH MIKELinkedIn

As an entrepreneur, "losing" is a risky word. But though victory is enthralling, it's also fleeting; there'll always be another mountain to climb. Failure teaches you something new every time. This is why failures shouldn't bother you so much; it is never about winning or losing; it's about winning or learning, as Nelson Mandela once said.In this episode, Mike is joined by Serial Entrepreneur Jonathan Shroyer. Jonathan shares all about building successful businesses, learning from failures, and building your company atop solid foundational principles. He also talks about ideating, how he assesses the multiple ideas that cross his mind and scaling your business by implementing structure.Tune in to catch a win-or-learn mentality to scale your business to greater heights.EPISODE 3 SUMMARY & HIGHLIGHTSWhy is it important to start a business that answers a need? What are the critical steps to building a business? 4:451. Start with a need or demand.5:122. Create a unique solution to address the need or solve the problem at hand.5:203. Assess your solution – Think if it can scale over time.5:274. Ask yourself if you have the passion, grit, resilience, and willingness to get through the inherent differences when they arise.06:135. In addition to the initial steps, it's essential also to ask yourself how to scale your business, what your team should look like, what skills or competencies you have or need to acquire and when to acquire them.What are Jonathan's company's guiding values?How do you scale your business?How did Jonathan develop the skill of ideation?How do you assess an idea?Closing advice from Jonathan.26:51Believe in yourself and write down your goals. If you don't write it down, it will only remain in your thoughts.RESOURCES MENTIONED ON THE PODCAST●      Book: Lead With No Fear by Mike Acker●      Book: Mindset: The New Psychology Of Success by Carol DweckCONNECT WITH JONATHAN SHROYERLinkedIn | Twitter | WebsiteCONNECT WITH MIKELinkedIn  ----------(Full show notes & more resources visit connect.stepstoadvance.com) Check out the YouTube at:https://www.youtube.com/c/ADVANCEwithMikeAcker ----------To book Mike Acker to speak to your group or facilitate a specific workshop, email:media@stepstoadvance.com---------- 

The world is full of naysayers, and often, the things we say to ourselves are just as bad. But the question is if you don't believe in yourself, who will? Holding yourself back from success is the easy route, but no one will care more about your success than you. Jeff Wright started an exploding business by just believing in himself, and success came calling.In this episode, Jeff sits with Mike to explore his path to success, including how he got started and overcame the challenges. He also talks about the importance of building a lasting client relationship, integrity, perseverance, and open communication in setting up a successful business.Tune in to learn first-hand the process behind setting up a product-based business!EPISODE 2 SUMMARY & HIGHLIGHTSHow do build a company that brings in exploding growth?14:17Of the many important things involved in building a growing business is integrity. Jeff explains that you need to have integrity in your distributing partners. It's essential to figure out a way to work with them collaboratively to develop a solution that would allow you to maintain cash flow.How do you build a lasting client relationship?17:15Show your clients commitment. Have difficult conversations with them when necessary; be available for them.What are some lessons to learn from Jeff's success?18:34Innovation, perseverance, and a great team could be transformative to the growth of your business. Success comes naturally when you have a team that strives for the same thing.Advice for executives to advance in their careers.20:04Build a culture of open communication with your team. Challenge ideas, work collaboratively to come up with better ideas.How do you stay grounded in yourself and your professional success? ----------(Full show notes & more resources visit connect.stepstoadvance.com) Check out the YouTube at:https://www.youtube.com/c/ADVANCEwithMikeAcker ----------To book Mike Acker to speak to your group or facilitate a specific workshop, email:media@stepstoadvance.com----------

What is your definition of success? How do you plan on achieving it? In this episode, Mike shows you the five different drivers of success. These include education, expertise and experience, emotional intelligence, communication, and work ethics.Tune in to learn the skills in detail. EPISODE 1 SUMMARY & HIGHLIGHTSWhat are the five drivers of success?02:49 EducationWhat type of success do you want? Does it require formal education, or does self-education help? Success is no longer about the number of degrees you have or the college you went to.04:31     2. Expertise and experienceMost often, what people look for is the skills, sometimes, not even the experience. There is a correlation between the two, but not necessarily a causation. Some people have done the same thing for a long time and still are not experts. Some people have invested themselves, put in the targeted time, and become experts, even without years of experience.06:09     3. Emotional intelligence (perhaps the most important driver of success)Unless you understand yourself and the people around you, it's difficult to reach a certain level of success. Emotional intelligence is necessary.12:59    4. CommunicationAssertive communication is an important determinant of success.  20:41  5. Your work ethicLastly, your grit, determination, and hard work are what lead you to success.How do you build emotional intelligence?08:24Building self-confidence starts with self-awareness. Start looking at yourself in the third person. Analyze your present state, assess and discover what you're doing well and can do better. Be aware of others the same way. A large part of it also involves empathy. Understand people and make sure to not react to situations, instead take the time to assess them and respond. What is the difference between aggressive communication, passive communication, passive-aggressive communication, and assertive communication?13:27Aggressive communication – Aggressive communication indicates that you're only running over people. It's when you act in an aggressive, fighter-type stance, and you're focussed on the task alone. Aggressive personalities are more prone to fights.14:10Passive communication – Passive communication is when you are too agreeable; you let people decide everything. You might attribute it to introvertism, which isn't the case. There are passive introverts and passive extroverts. 14:41Passive-aggressive – Most people are passive-aggressive in their communication. They passively say things. For example, Mike explains that if he were to talk to his wife and say, 'Hey, it's gonna be a long day, and I just really wish I didn't have to come home to dirty dishes in the sink,' that would be passive communication. He isn't directly asking his wife to do anything, but he's passively, aggressively implying that she gets it done.  15:43Assertive communication -- This type of communication is where you say what you mean and mean what you say. Many of our verbal and nonverbal aspects need to be taken care of when communicating this way.What are the three different areas to focus on for assertive communication? ----------(Full show notes & more resources visit connect.stepstoadvance.com) Check out the YouTube at:https://www.youtube.com/c/ADVANCEwithMikeAcker ----------To book Mike Acker to speak to your group or facilitate a specific workshop, email:media@stepstoadvance.com----------

FREE BOOK OFFER!https://learn.self-publishingschool.com/published-relaunch?relaunch_partner=Mike%20AckerINTRODUCTION TO EPISODE 46Perhaps you've been musing over your idea for a book for years now. Maybe you've spent a couple of months writing down your ideas, or you've even attempted to write the whole thing. But something is always getting in the way. When you're supposed to be writing it, you're busy with work; when you have free time, you can't find the motivation to focus. And sometimes, you don't know what to write the next chapter about. What are you going to do? How do you get your book finally on paper?Chandler Bolt, Founder and CEO of Self-Publishing School, joins Mike in this episode of the Advance Podcast. In a treat for all aspiring authors out here, he breaks down the common roadblocks to writing or ideating a book and turns them around to create actionable steps you could follow to rid yourself of them, starting right now. He shares how to discover what to write about, why your first draft is the most significant part of the process, the benefits of writing a book for entrepreneurs and business owners, and why your book is your weapon of authority and trust.If you think you can never go for the massive commitment of completing a book, then this episode could be your first step to breaking free of that assumption. Tune in!EPISODE 46 SUMMARY & HIGHLIGHTSHow do you finally start writing your book?8:47There are three kinds of writers among us all. One group that's still thinking about whether to write a book, another group that has published a book before and doesn't consider it complicated and a third group that wants to write a book to grow their business. To those who haven't started yet, there are three steps to follow for help:9:28Be clear on what you want to write about10:06      2. The second step, or the More Writing Method, involves outlining and rough draft editing for creating a mind map.11:03      3. The next step is the Rough Draft Phase. It is where you start writing your book in chapters, outline them one at a time, and take it from there.How do you decide what to write about?11:49Discover what your passion or field of expertise is. If you're an entrepreneur, think of the many conversations you've had with your customers over time. Within those would lie the idea for your book. Narrow in on an idea or two and then mind map for about 15 mins to see if it could materialize.(Full show notes are available at https://connect.mikeacker.com)RESOURCED MENTIONED ON THE PODCAST●      All Books written by Mike Acker●      Check out the Free Resources Chandler's offered exclusively for Advance listeners here.CONNECT WITH CHANDLERWebsite | LinkedIn CONNECT WITH MIKELinkedIn ----------(Full show notes & more resources visit connect.stepstoadvance.com) Check out the YouTube at:https://www.youtube.com/c/ADVANCEwithMikeAcker ----------To book Mike Acker to speak to your group or facilitate a specific workshop, email:media@stepstoadvance.com----------

INTRODUCTION TO EPISODE 45Marketing is more than just advertising. Though anyone can advertise their product, it takes skill to generate interest, create brand awareness and sell products and services. How do you do that?In part 2 of Mike's conversation with Tim Fitzpatrick, we learn in detail about marketing fundamentals and how to put them into action. Tim talks about the free resources he's offering for our listeners at the Advance podcast and how you can make the best use of them!For exclusive resources from Tim Fitzpatrickhttps://www.rialtomarketing.com/advance-with-mike-ackerEPISODE 45 SUMMARY & HIGHLIGHTSCan you break down the marketing fundamentals quickly?Here's a quick description of the marketing fundamentals-1:59Understand who you're going to serve and how you're going to serve those people.02:09Work on your messaging -- which is what you say to those people, how you talk about the value you offer, and how you say that in a way that grabs attention and springs action. 02:42Plan on how to get your message in front of the people.Can you elaborate on storytelling for marketing messaging?05:50For marketing messaging, it is best to use a storytelling framework. It helps people focus on your message and not on you. Your customers can thus know what they receive from your product or service. Storytelling enables us to communicate clearly what we do and what we have to offer in a short period.Do you think storytelling amounts to manipulation?14:13It does not. Storytelling is about communicating with people in a way that resonates with them. You speak in their language to connect with them better.Can you talk about the steps to planning?21:46The first step to planning is identifying your target market. Your target market needs to be specific, measurable, and time-bound. 22:43Next, you need to know where you intend to go without getting too attached to it. 23:23Thirdly, you need to identify your budget and resources to get an idea of who you want to work with. 23:49The fourth step is identifying your current plan -- to get a baseline of where to start. 25:32Identify what you're going to focus on in the next 90 days with your marketing.Can you talk about the three phases of the marketing evolution index checklist?RESOURCES MENTIONED ON THE PODCAST●      StoryBrand by Donald Miller●      Right To Speak by Mike Acker●      Check out the Free Resources Tim's offered for Advance listeners here.CONNECT WITH TIMWebsite | LinkedIn CONNECT WITH MIKELinkedIn ----------(Full show notes & more resources visit connect.stepstoadvance.com) Check out the YouTube at:https://www.youtube.com/c/ADVANCEwithMikeAcker ----------To book Mike Acker to speak to your group or facilitate a specific workshop, email:media@stepstoadvance.com----------

INTRODUCTION TO EPISODE 44It's rare to find someone who isn't aware of the importance of marketing today -- be it their brand, message, business, or even themselves. But how informed are we when it comes to discovering, growing or expanding our target audience?Tim Fitzpatrick joins Mike in this episode of the Advance Podcast to provide actionable insight for businesses or entrepreneurs to find, understand, and work with their target audiences. We'll explore marketing fundamentals, how to find our unique selling point, and ways to scale our business to a significant measure. Listen in!For exclusive resources from Tim Fitzpatrickhttps://www.rialtomarketing.com/advance-with-mike-ackerEPISODE 44 SUMMARY & HIGHLIGHTSWhat is meant by the target market?6:19The target market refers to the people you're going to serve. The vast majority of us work with clients who're not a good fit for us, which is not only not fun but is also not profitable in the long run. The broader your client base, the greater the chances of getting the wrong clients. That is why it's essential to narrow down and be specific about the people you market.Any suggestions for people who cannot choose to be specific about their clients?13:43It might not be possible for everyone to have a filtered client base. But not being specific has its drawbacks -- you run into problems more often. In any case, it's essential to measure your non-negotiables before figuring out whether to move forward or not.How can people discover their unique selling point?16:15To discover their unique selling point, people need to find out what they're good at. They also need to see what problem they're helping their client solve.How do entrepreneurs and business people start with marketing?19:46Start with your current and past customer base and ask yourself three questions:●      Who do you enjoy working with?●      Who are your most profitable customers?●      Who do you do your best work for?It will help you have a subgroup of current and past class customers you love working with who are profitable and help you get great results. Your most ideal clients reside within these.How do you target the people to work with?24:15Once you've figured the group of customers that you've served that check off the three boxes suggested above, you can start to dig into the psychographics, demographics and how they behave. Their actions, behavior, commonalities, and interests will help you discover your target audience.How do you grow your target audience?29:10RESOURCED MENTIONED ON THE PODCAST●      Duct Tape Marketing by John Jantsch●      Speak With No Fear by Mike Acker●      Check out the Free Resources Tim's offered for Advance listeners here.CONNECT WITH TIMWebsite | LinkedIn CONNECT WITH MIKELinkedIn ----------(Full show notes & more resources visit connect.stepstoadvance.com) Check out the YouTube at:https://www.youtube.com/c/ADVANCEwithMikeAcker ----------To book Mike Acker to speak to your group or facilitate a specific workshop, email:media@stepstoadvance.com----------

Check out Sriram's Keynotes at www.audacityspeakers.comOr invite him to speak - Events@AudacitySpeakers.com---INTRODUCTION TO EPISODE 43Storytelling is at the heart of everything we do - it's how we communicate, it's how we build relationships, and most importantly, it's how we entertain each other. Of late, business teams are starting to understand the power of this art to try to bridge this distinction between arts and management. In this episode of the Advance Podcast, Mike interviews Sriram Emani, Founder of IndianRaga, one of the largest global social media platforms for Indian Performing Arts. He is a 2015 Global Fellow with the International Society for the Performing Arts (ISPA), where he was the only Indian out of 52 Fellows from across the world!Sriram shares his thoughts on arts and science and how they work in unison to create better things for society. He also talks about his passion for storytelling, the value points from his Ted Talk about the importance of being imprecise, his thoughts on uniting different cultures, the challenges faced, and how to use art to power innovation.EPISODE 43 SUMMARY & HIGHLIGHTSHow do you differentiate art and science?4:34When you have an established practice, a protocol, process, or formula, you call it science, but when it's still new, and there are different interpretations possible, you call it art. Art gives us a multitude of perspectives and backgrounds for us to learn from. What are your lessons from doing things nobody has ever done before (like living as a nomad with 50 families)?7:11While I was doing my MBA from MIT, I kept hearing people talk about market research. I learned that people might give you answers, but they don't always know what they want. So even if you ask a lot of questions, you get stereotypical answers, and that's detrimental to innovation because you're not really getting what you want. Over the years, I've also learned what globalization of culture really means. It's a way of really one generation talking to another or expressing. Where do you think storytelling holds the most significance today?14:05Storytelling holds significance almost everywhere. It doesn't matter if it's a data analytics company, entertainment company, consulting firm, finance company - metaphors, analogies, and stories are the most powerful tools to convince and analyze your audience. It helps you engage with your audience and build a connection with them. Why do you think traditional boxes are important?17:12I learned that there always is a role and will be a role for history in our lives. It can help you draw a parallel between the then and now. Traditional boxes are essential because sometimes you want to build on a body of work. And for that, you need all individual boxes and components that you can draw from to get to a certain level. Then you build on top of that. So you need all of the innovation and creativity that come in from these individual boxes - they're always going to be very important.What do you think the Eastern and Western civilizations can learn from each other? What can the audience learn from the integration of those?24:54Can you give us a snapshot of your Ted talk where you talk about the value of being imprecise?30:20(FULL SHOW NOTES FOR FREE:  https://connect.stepstoadvance.com)KEY QUOTES:3:31-3:545:30-5:3617:12-17:41CONNECT WITH SRIRAMLinkedIn CONNECT WITH MIKELinkedIn

Check out Rosalie's Keynotes at www.audacityspeakers.comOr invite her to speak - Events@AudacitySpeakers.com---INTRODUCTION TO EPISODE 42What makes communication so tricky in conflicted and diverse settings? Why do we get awkward or angry? Why do we get easily threatened and frustrated? What can we do about it? To answer these questions (and much more!), Rosalie Fisher joins Mike on this episode of Advance Podcast. Dr. Rosalie Fisher is a professor at Arizona State University and has done training and events worldwide, including several organizations and communities. Rosalie discusses how to connect art and engagement, communicating effectively amid diversity, and her work with the National Conflict Resolution Center. Tune in to learn the golden nuggets to effective communication from Rosalie Fisher!EPISODE 42 SUMMARY & HIGHLIGHTSHow do you connect art and social engagement?4:15I've taken my background in art and used it as a catalyst for stimulating more engagement, more community dialogue events, and studying the impact that dialogue has on human behavior, human perspectives, and their perception of others. I think something for me, what embodies the artistic experience, is how it differentiates itself from what we've gotten used to with the internet. The internet has had a lot of damaging consequences on us. You've heard probably everywhere about the echo chamber effect - that says when we have a certain perspective and we share it on the internet, it causes that same perspective to come back at us, whether it's in the form of the news we take in, or the communication, the groups and the forums we're a part of or the things we're reading. So we've gotten away from that ability to communicate face to face, communicate through differences, and despite disagreements, see that human aspect of communication that has been hidden behind the screen. Merging the artists' performances, films, and other things can bring people together in conversation - when they have different perspectives, have different lived experiences, and learn that communication does not have to equate to conflict or that differences do not have to equate to hostility. We're bringing humility back to communication.What led you to work with the National Conflict Resolution Center?8:57What are some key communication strategies we can have when we get into a conflict?13:08Can you talk a little about diversity training?For comprehensive SHOW NOTES visit connect.stepstoadvance.com----------FIND PAMELA & OTHER AUDACITY SPEAKERS ATwww.audacityspeakers.com▶️  WHY AUDACITY SPEAKERS? Because powerful speakers have one thing in common. It's not a particular style, but firm confidence that they have a message to share and value to provide. We call that audacity.  From a bestselling author to a TEDx speaker to the founder of a nonprofit that has matched over 22,000 volunteer hours with needs around the world, our speakers do have something to say—something that will impact your company or event for years to come—and the authority to say it.Even with incredible speakers, we are not just in the business of booking events; we build valuable relationships. We have been organizing, consulting, and speaking for over twenty years. And we bring this experience to engage your audience and add value to your event.Find Speakers with Something to Say - www.audacityspeakers.com----------To request Mike Acker or another speaker to address your group or facilitate a specific workshop, email: events@audacityspeakers.com

Check out Bart's Keynotes at www.audacityspeakers.comOr invite him to speak - Events@AudacitySpeakers.com---INTRODUCTION TO EPISODE 41Hospitality is an increasingly competitive field, with success almost entirely dependent on human connection. If you want to know how to achieve success in this field, this episode is for you.Today, Mike interviews Bart Berkey, the winner of the 2021 best luxury hospitality award, keynote speaker and host of the podcast, Most People Don't, But You Do. Bart shares his experience working and soaring in the industry, the importance of developing empathy, accountability, ability to prioritize, and flexibility. He also shares his latest book, Most People Don't (And Why You Should), which currently resides in the top 1% of book sales on Amazon!EPISODE 41 SUMMARY & HIGHLIGHTSWhat does it mean to be incredible in hospitality?3:19To do well in the hospitality sector requires you to be empathetic. It's always about the customer, the client, the guests - you have to make others feel comfortable. In a study done previously, it was found that approximately 80% of people are not predisposed to being empathetic. To be able to get into the mindset of doing things for other people is a great trait you need to have if you want to be successful in the business.If you're someone rising through and want to make gains, how do you start shifting the culture to one more of customer service and hospitality?7:43Be empathetic to others - it's going to make you feel good, and it's going to make the recipient feel good. The same thing happens when you're creating this culture within an organization. If you're doing good for your customers, you feel good about it and they receive it well. It will spread positivity throughout the organization. It will also lead to more engagement, customer loyalty, and revenue. Can you unpack some of your life principles?14:39I believe that it's important to differentiate yourself from others always. If you can do what most people are not doing, it's going to differentiate you.Secondly, you need to take action. You can remain unfocused and unmotivated tomorrow by doing absolutely nothing. But if you want to become fit, if you want to become motivated, you need to take steps to get better, which requires doing. Three other important principles I talk about are accountability, priority, and flexibility. You need to have these to be successful. How do you find balance in the middle of doing?20:56Is there anything else that you want to share with us today?30:08For comprehensive SHOW NOTES visit connect.stepstoadvance.com----------FIND BART & OTHER AUDACITY SPEAKERS ATwww.audacityspeakers.com▶️  WHY AUDACITY SPEAKERS? Because powerful speakers have one thing in common. It's not a particular style, but firm confidence that they have a message to share and value to provide. We call that audacity.  From a bestselling author to a TEDx speaker to the founder of a nonprofit that has matched over 22,000 volunteer hours with needs around the world, our speakers do have something to say—something that will impact your company or event for years to come—and the authority to say it.Even with incredible speakers, we are not just in the business of booking events; we build valuable relationships. We have been organizing, consulting, and speaking for over twenty years. And we bring this experience to engage your audience and add value to your event.Find Speakers with Something to Say - www.audacityspeakers.com----------To request Mike Acker or another speaker to address your group or facilitate a specific workshop, email: events@audacityspeakers.com

Check out Ina's Keynotes at www.audacityspeakers.comOr invite her to speak - Events@AudacitySpeakers.com---INTRODUCTION TO EPISODE 40Most people don't think about the concept of gender stereotyping until they become an adult. However, gender discrimination starts as early as childhood - at the age of six, to be exact.Ina Bhoopalam, the young Founder and Executive Director of Dream Equal, dug into the issue when just in high school. Having faced gender stereotyping as a student, she wanted to create a space where people, irrespective of their gender, could pursue anything they wanted to in life.In this episode, Ina joins Mike to share her inspiring journey founding her non-profit organization, Dream Equal, its vision and mission, and about identifying and correcting discrimination among young people so that we can work on bettering the world together - as one.EPISODE 40 SUMMARY & HIGHLIGHTSWhat was your inspiration as a young minority social entrepreneur?1:19It circles back to my personal experiences growing up. While in school, I was in many activities which had more boys participating, and it was harder to be a girl competing in those. It caused conflict in groups, and I started to be ridiculed on social media. That's when I started reading about gender stereotyping. I learned that gender-based discrimination develops at the age of six and that there weren't any organizations working to spread information about the same for people that young. That idea led me to found Dream Equal. How would you advise young entrepreneurs wanting to start amid the disruptive changes in the world today?8:24How do you tie gender equality to climate justice?11:15Tell us about gender stereotyping in workplaces.16:48Closing words of advice from Ina.22:40CONNECT WITH INAWebsite | LinkedIn | InstagramCONNECT WITH MIKELinkedIn For comprehensive SHOW NOTES visit connect.stepstoadvance.com----------FIND INA & OTHER AUDACITY SPEAKERS ATwww.audacityspeakers.com▶️  WHY AUDACITY SPEAKERS? Because powerful speakers have one thing in common. It's not a particular style, but firm confidence that they have a message to share and value to provide. We call that audacity.  From a bestselling author to a TEDx speaker to the founder of a nonprofit that has matched over 22,000 volunteer hours with needs around the world, our speakers do have something to say—something that will impact your company or event for years to come—and the authority to say it.Even with incredible speakers, we are not just in the business of booking events; we build valuable relationships. We have been organizing, consulting, and speaking for over twenty years. And we bring this experience to engage your audience and add value to your event.Find Speakers with Something to Say - www.audacityspeakers.com----------To request Mike Acker or another speaker to address your group or facilitate a specific workshop, email: events@audacityspeakers.com

Check out Shawn's Keynotes at www.audacityspeakers.comOr invite him to speak - Events@AudacitySpeakers.com---INTRODUCTION TO EPISODE 39Life can be simple or complex — depending on how we choose to live our lives. We all lead different lives, and, as such, we use different tools and techniques to make sure we're accomplishing the things we need to accomplish. That's where prioritization and preparedness come into play.Shawn Conrad is a man of many talents - he's a renowned speaker, artist, and actor who used his past experiences in the entertainment industry to find his voice and develop his skills as a speaker.In this episode, Shawn speaks with Mike about his exciting journey in life, playing multiple roles professionally while finding quality time to spend with his family. Shawn speaks of the importance of prioritization and preparedness in life and how they were instrumental in helping him grow as a successful and satisfied individual.EPISODE 39 SUMMARY & HIGHLIGHTSHow can you be present with your family while also playing multiple roles professionally?6:01Since the beginning of my music career, it was essential for me to be a great father - it all circles back to your legacy. As young adults, your children should be able to recollect good, inspiring stories about you to carry with them. Also, you can always organize your work and responsibilities in a way that keeps quality time aside for your family - it's all about setting priorities. How did you make a career switch from the entertainment industry to corporate life?13:03Preparation was crucial for helping me grab new roles and opportunities. I was constantly preparing myself for things that might be demanded of me in the future.What is the most valuable takeaway from your speaking sessions with your audience?27:28Tell us a little bit about the Pirate Rap that you did when in the entertainment industry.29:53For comprehensive SHOW NOTES visit connect.stepstoadvance.com----------FIND SHAWN & OTHER AUDACITY SPEAKERS ATwww.audacityspeakers.com▶️  WHY AUDACITY SPEAKERS? Because powerful speakers have one thing in common. It's not a particular style, but firm confidence that they have a message to share and value to provide. We call that audacity.  From a bestselling author to a TEDx speaker to the founder of a nonprofit that has matched over 22,000 volunteer hours with needs around the world, our speakers do have something to say—something that will impact your company or event for years to come—and the authority to say it.Even with incredible speakers, we are not just in the business of booking events; we build valuable relationships. We have been organizing, consulting, and speaking for over twenty years. And we bring this experience to engage your audience and add value to your event.Find Speakers with Something to Say - www.audacityspeakers.com----------To request Mike Acker or another speaker to address your group or facilitate a specific workshop, email: events@audacityspeakers.com

Check out Pamela's Keynotes at www.audacityspeakers.comOr invite her to speak - Events@AudacitySpeakers.com---INTRODUCTION TO EPISODE 38Is social good just the same as Corporate Social Responsibility?Pamela Hawley, Founder and CEO at UniversalGiving, shares with us her incredible life founding and running a tech-for-good company, and all the while enjoying the responsibilities that come with her job. Universal Giving is an award-winning nonprofit that helps people give and volunteer with vetted, quality opportunities all over the world.Mike and Pamela also talk about CSR, its importance in companies today, and her fantastic thoughts on leadership.Visit Pamela's organization at https://www.universalgiving.orgEPISODE 38 SUMMARY & HIGHLIGHTSCan your true calling be your job? If so, how?2:57When you like your job, you'll feel called to it. You get up every day with a grand sense of purpose. Whether it's full time or part-time, there's something we should be doing. It's very magical if we're connecting to what we're supposed to be doing to help the world.Can you tell us a little bit more about Universal Giving?6:07Through volunteering experiences, one gets to see how challenged the world is. I created Universal Giving by taking the ground experiences that are available to all of us and then marrying them with my love of technology. Now people can come in, they can choose an issue such as education, or human rights, find projects, or NGOs, and get volunteer opportunities.My experience says that if people can't go and see it on the ground, you'll have to bring back the trust. That was the genesis for the quality model and Universal Giving.What is entrepreneurship, according to you?8:27Entrepreneurship is about taking an idea to fruition. Here are some lessons I learned about the same - Think about commitment and longevity to make sure that your idea stays for the benefit of the community.With entrepreneurship, you're constantly learning.If you're an entrepreneur and are being insightful about it, you are also growing yourself.What does it take to be in a tech-for-good company like Universal Giving?12:57What is CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility)? Why is it important for companies these days to focus on CSR?23:30What are your thoughts on leadership?25:20KEY QUOTES...For comprehensive SHOW NOTES visit connect.stepstoadvance.com----------FIND PAMELA & OTHER AUDACITY SPEAKERS ATwww.audacityspeakers.com▶️  WHY AUDACITY SPEAKERS? Because powerful speakers have one thing in common. It's not a particular style, but firm confidence that they have a message to share and value to provide. We call that audacity.  From a bestselling author to a TEDx speaker to the founder of a nonprofit that has matched over 22,000 volunteer hours with needs around the world, our speakers do have something to say—something that will impact your company or event for years to come—and the authority to say it.Even with incredible speakers, we are not just in the business of booking events; we build valuable relationships. We have been organizing, consulting, and speaking for over twenty years. And we bring this experience to engage your audience and add value to your event.Find Speakers with Something to Say - www.audacityspeakers.com----------To request Mike Acker or another speaker to address your group or facilitate a specific workshop, email: events@audacityspeakers.com

INTRODUCTION TO EPISODE 37It is true that becoming a paid public speaker (or influencer) is one of the most attractive career choices today or simply a great side-hustle. But talking in front of a crowd requires you to master some skills that are absolutely necessary.What are these skills? How can you master them? Let's find out.Learn how to build yourself as a speaker, the foundation sources you need to stay in the game, and much more from Mike Acker in this episode of the Advance podcast!EPISODE 37 SUMMARY & HIGHLIGHTSHow do you build yourself a platform as a public speaker or influencer?2:44To build yourself a platform as a public speaker, you've to be one of these - there has to be a reason for people to listen to you, there has to be a reason for you to influence others, or there has to be a reason for you to be a thought leader or an influencer. What are the five foundational sources for you to become a successful public speaker?3:14 1. StoriesSome public speakers become immensely successful because of their stories of overcoming a challenge. Some examples are speakers like Bethany Hamilton or Aron Ralston. Both of them have a fascinating and dramatic story that gets the audience hooked. The bigger your story, the better it sells.  Your success attracts people. If you are wildly successful, people will want to learn about your success story.7:482. SuccessYour speaking platform comes from noticed success. And noticed success comes from having a daily rhythm.9:383. ProductOnce you have a product that is wildly successful, you get noticed by publications and media. If you do not have a success story, the next best thing is to launch a product that you can talk about. This could be a clothing line, a new book or even an app.11:154. AffiliationBeing affiliated to someone could open various doors of opportunity for you. 13:435. PersonalityHaving an attractive personality often makes up for the other factors. An example could be comedians. What attracts the audience is their comedic persona.15:456. Hard workThis is a standalone quality that is absolutely necessary for your success. You need to work hard to get where you want to be. KEY QUOTES:02:44-02:53“There has to be a reason for people to listen to you. There has to be a reason for you to influence others. There has to be a reason for you to be a thought leader.”07:16-07:21“The more successful you are with something, the more you can speak from that platform.” 07:54-08:02“When it comes to speaking, your speaking platform comes from the noticed success, not just the daily success. But the noticeable success comes from your daily rhythms.” RESOURCES MENTIONED ON THE PODCAST●      Book-  Pirates, Scoundrels Saint●      Person –  John Maxwell ----------(Full show notes & more resources visit connect.stepstoadvance.com) Check out the YouTube at:https://www.youtube.com/c/ADVANCEwithMikeAcker ----------To book Mike Acker to speak to your group or facilitate a specific workshop, email:media@stepstoadvance.com----------

INTRODUCTION TO EPISODE 36One of the things that keep you from being a great public speaker is anxiety. We invest so much of our energy thinking over and over the worst-case scenarios and in the process, fall short of giving our best each time.In this episode, Mike talks about easing our anxiety during public speaking. He shares four highly useful strategies to improve our speaking. And the best part? These apply to events of any scale, be it high-profile interviews, online meetings or large gatherings. EPISODE 36 SUMMARY & HIGHLIGHTSWhat are the four ways to ease anxiety when speaking?3:16 1. Practice off-stageThe first step is to practice off-stage what you are going to present on stage. It also involves practicing breath control - not doing so could trigger your anxiety and make you lose focus.5:042. Practice DirtyOften, when we practice our speech, we picture an ideal environment. That may not be the case during the actual presentation. That is why we need to practice dirty. "Practicing dirty" means imagining the worst-case scenarios and being prepared to deal with them. Practicing doesn't necessarily refer to speaking; it includes everything that comes along with it- breathing, smiling, pronunciations, pauses, and the like.6:563. Listen to the expertsWe often give in to the fear of others' opinions. However, an expert's view would do you more good than the audience's view.Most people read the room wrong and jump to conclusions. To eliminate this, we need professional advice.14:374. Dig out your strategyYou need to educate yourself about the various strategies out there and choose one that works the best for you.What are some other tips to reduce your anxiety while public speaking?18:30If you feel like your anxiety or stress is intense, you could always consult a doctor. You could even try taking supplements to take the edge off your stress. One such supplement is Pure Calm .  KEY QUOTES:04:32-04:53“The problem is that people don't know how to breathe. So if you learn how to breathe and practice breathing offstage, when you're on stage, breathing becomes a part of your regular rhythm. It's just part of what you do. A lot of times this simple strategy of breathing to release some of your anxiety becomes cumbersome.”12:28-12:38“It's not practice that makes perfect, but it's perfect practice that makes perfect. The more you do it right, the more confident you are going to be when you perform.”13:34-13:38“Correct your thoughts with the right actions. Ultimately, those actions lead to emotions, and action again leads to the thought.” RESOURCES MENTIONED ON THE PODCASTEpisode – ADVANCE with Mike Acker Episode 4 with Aimee BruneauCarmine GalloStress ReliefSupplement is Pure Calm . Mike Acker's 2nd Edition of Speak With No Fear - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B096PX4XJ4  ----------(Full show notes & more resources visit connect.stepstoadvance.com) Check out the YouTube at:https://www.youtube.com/c/ADVANCEwithMikeAcker ----------To book Mike Acker to speak to your group or facilitate a specific workshop, email:media@stepstoadvance.com----------

INTRODUCTION TO EPISODE 35Many of us aspire to be promoted and move up the corporate ladder, at one point or another in our lives. But what does it take to get to the top? Is there a specific career strategy you can follow to get yourself promoted?In this episode of the Advance Podcast, Mike speaks with author and leadership coach Emily Sanders about getting to the top of the leadership structure at your company. Emily discusses her book, Hacking Executive Leadership, shares how she landed the idea for the book and what she wants to convey through the same. We also learn adaptability, having the right lens to view things as a leader, and Emily's three circles concept that helps you stay cool in the most challenging times. Listen in!EPISODE 35 SUMMARY & HIGHLIGHTSWhat is the idea behind hacking executive leadership?4:35Everyone is their own person, and they have their own set of experiences. Hacking into what unlocks the next level of leadership for every one is going to be unique. You have to hack your own code, and go into the matrix. This is the general idea behind hacking executive leadership.Why do people want to be an executive or a top level leader, at a company that they might work at?5:38There are many motivations for that. Some people want to be able to say that they are at that position, some other people want to serve their team better -  take them to the next level, or they could be ambitious and want responsibility and power.What do you mean by the concept of swizzle?7:24The concept of swizzle revolves around adaptability. Every person is different. Every stage or opportunity is different. Your ability to adapt makes you the best at whatever you do.Why do you think adaptability is so important for the executive leader?9:33As you move up, you get more difficult and complex problems to solve in your career.  Nothing gets to your desk without some really smart people working on getting it there. So you have to think creatively and draw on different resources that you have from all areas of your life. The concept of swizzle revolves around taking lessons from the different areas in life and applying it when you need to in any other area.What does it mean to have the right lens as a leader?.... RESOURCES MENTIONED ON THE PODCAST●      Video - Adaptability by General Stan McChrystal●      Person - Floyd Mayweather, champion boxer CONNECT WITH EMILYWebsiteBook - Hacking Executive Leadership by Emily Sanders----------(Full show notes & more resources visit connect.stepstoadvance.com) Check out the YouTube at:https://www.youtube.com/c/ADVANCEwithMikeAcker ----------To book Mike Acker to speak to your group or facilitate a specific workshop, email:media@stepstoadvance.com----------

INTRODUCTION TO EPISODE 34It can be a tricky conversation to have, but teaching your kids financial management from a young age can help instill good money habits now and into the future. When you show them how to make money and what to do with the money earned, you're equipping them with business skills early on in their life.In this episode, Mike Acker shares how to speak to your kids about finances and how to raise their learning bar to help them achieve what they're truly capable of. We learn the five areas of finances to teach our kids and how to make them understand the same. Listen in!EPISODE 34 SUMMARY & HIGHLIGHTSWhat are the five areas of financial management that you can teach your kids?4:16InvestmentYou can teach your kids about the capital that goes behind starting a business. Make them understand that when starting a business, some money needs to be put behind it. 7:25Business expensesThere are three types of business expenses that you could talk to your kids about. These are - fixed, variable, and periodic expenses.10:25LabourTalk to your kids about paying people for the work they do. Make them understand that this amount is proportional to the overall effort they put in the business.11:36RevenueShow your kids how there's revenue that is going to come in from their business.12:06ProfitTeach your kids what profit basically means. Make them understand the simple math behind calculating profits - expenses (labour plus business expenses) minus revenue equals profit. KEY QUOTES:13:22-13:31“Know your kids. Know your grandkids. Know them and believe that they're able to do more than you currently do.”13:48-14:03“Teach them now the basics of business, financial management, and they're going to be so far ahead of the game that they'll be able to advance someday. You'll be laying back and living off the incredible work that your kids do.”----------(Full show notes & more resources visit connect.stepstoadvance.com) Check out the YouTube at:https://www.youtube.com/c/ADVANCEwithMikeAcker ----------To book Mike Acker to speak to your group or facilitate a specific workshop, email:media@stepstoadvance.com----------

INTRODUCTION TO EPISODE 33If you think that your kids cannot understand business fundamentals at a young age, this episode will do the job of flipping your thoughts over.Teaching your kids basic entrepreneurial skills now could help pave their way for future endeavors. Today, we learn the four simple questions you could ask your children to teach them business fundamentals at an early age and what areas of entrepreneurship you're showing them in the process.Mike shares exactly how he implemented the idea to teach his son the same. Listen in!EPISODE 33 SUMMARY & HIGHLIGHTSWhat are the four areas of entrepreneurship that you could show your kids at an early age? What are the questions you could ask them to help them learn the same?3:26Market ResearchWhere and what - Ask your kids what opportunities they think lie for them to make use of. Ask them what skills they have to grab the opportunity.This way, you're teaching them to do market research. 7:26MarketingHow -  Ask your kids how they are going to get the word out. Guide them, but also listen to them, make them feel understood.This is how you're teaching your kids marketing. You're teaching them to market their business strategy at a basic level.10:44PersonnelWho - Discuss with your kids who is going to do the job of putting their word out there.This way, you are teaching them about involving different people in the business.12:44FinanceShow them that once they get their work done, they're going to get paid for it. We'll discuss more about this in the next episode! KEY QUOTES:8:47-8:59“Be careful here that as a parent, as a business leader, as someone who's an adult, you don't trump their enthusiasm, and you don't fix the problem for them.”7:50-8:08“Don't limit your kids at whatever level they're at, don't say they're just kids. When we do that we are shortening their leadership, just like if you're running an organization, you say, Oh, well, he's just this role. Don't cap out their potential. I'm all about realizing people's potential.”14:41-14:52“If we get money that we didn't pay for sometimes without the right mindset, it throws off our mindset for the regular work that we do. It shifts it and I don't want to shift it away from him understanding money.”  ----------(Full show notes & more resources visit connect.stepstoadvance.com) Check out the YouTube at:https://www.youtube.com/c/ADVANCEwithMikeAcker ----------To book Mike Acker to speak to your group or facilitate a specific workshop, email:media@stepstoadvance.com----------

INTRODUCTION TO EPISODE 32Money management is undoubtedly a crucial skill your kids will have to learn as they grow up. By teaching them that when they're little, you're preparing them to make great financial decisions later in life.Over the next three weeks, we'll be talking about leading and speaking to your kids in a way that sets them up for success in the future. In today's episode, Mike discusses the importance of teaching kids money management at an early age and how to do that in a way that is not only effective but also enjoyable. Listen in!EPISODE 32 SUMMARY & HIGHLIGHTSWhy is money management an important skill to teach kids today?1:46Many of the wildly successful CEOs started when they were kids. They created a business or an endeavor early on. Learning work ethics, entrepreneurship, and the associated skills at an early age worked in their favor later on. Money management is one such skill that can help your kids in their times ahead.What are the three things you could practice with your kids to teach them about money?5:04Mindset -  Sometimes, we just want money to fall into our laps. It is important in those times to remember that money comes from work, that it is when we work, we can get others to work and be smart in it. Get the right mindset for yourself, and then teach your kids what goes behind making the money you have in your life. Teach them that when you work, in the end, it produces income. Also, make them understand that different people make different amounts of money, which doesn't make anyone good or bad. 10:29Commission -  Pay your kids commission for the different things they do around the house. Show them how they could be rewarded for doing the tasks they're assigned to. By doing this, you're not only rewarding them for doing the tasks well, you're also teaching them math. You're teaching them financial management and responsibility. And beyond commission, you're teaching them how to do business.17:35Reinforcement - Practice the skill again and again every day. Talk about this to other parents, other kids, their friends - reinforce it. So the next time they really want something, and you show them how to buy it using their own money, they'll make wiser decisions. You're hence preparing them for their future.KEY QUOTES (in show notes at connect.stepstoadvance.com)RESOURCED MENTIONED ON THE PODCAST:●      Books:○      Storytime Book Set: Teaching Kids How To Win With Money○      Money Honey by Rachel Richards●      Course:○      Financial Peace by Dave Ramsey----------(Full show notes & more resources visit connect.stepstoadvance.com) Check out the YouTube at:https://www.youtube.com/c/ADVANCEwithMikeAcker ----------To book Mike Acker to speak to your group or facilitate a specific workshop, email:media@stepstoadvance.com----------

INTRODUCTION TO EPISODE 31One of the most effective skills of a good speaker is their ability to be in the moment while they deliver. Reliving the past or constantly worrying about the future takes away the opportunity of presenting well when you have to.How do you cultivate the habit of being in the present?In this episode of the Advance podcast, Mike discusses our tendency to gravitate towards the future or regret past experiences while communicating. We learn how to converge our thoughts to focus on the present and understand the three main stages of professional communication. Listen in!EPISODE 31 SUMMARY & HIGHLIGHTSHow do you overcome the fear of public speaking?4:22To overcome the fear of public speaking, you should embrace the strategy of being in the moment. Do not go reliving the past or think about the future. When it comes to speaking, there are three moments- Preparation, Presentation, and Reflection. What are the three stages of your speaking?5:33Preparation -  Get caught up in the moment while you're preparing your speech. Discipline your mind and do not think about the moment when you're presenting that information. Think only about preparing that information, about who is giving you that content, all the different particulars of that content, or about how the statistics came. 9:50Presentation - Be less concerned about how you do and more concerned about what your audience gets across.12:30Reflection - Reflect on what you delivered. This is important because you are going to have to give another speech at some point in time. And reflecting on your present speech would help then.----------(Full show notes & more resources visit connect.stepstoadvance.com) Check out the YouTube at:https://www.youtube.com/c/ADVANCEwithMikeAcker ----------To book Mike Acker to speak to your group or facilitate a specific workshop, email:media@stepstoadvance.com----------

INTRODUCTION TO EPISODE 30Are you someone who has a story, idea, or expertise to share with people but are hesitant to write a book? When you write and publish your book, you establish yourself through it. It is an incredible way for you to convey that you and your ideas are here to stay. In this episode of the Advance podcast, Mike Acker shares his journey writing his top-rated books, discusses the benefits of writing books, and how to do it. We also understand ghostwriting as a means to help you in the process and see how it maintains your authorship. Listen in! We're launching a new segment called Masters of Employee Development soon on our podcast. We will be inviting successful entrepreneur and e-commerce seller Ben Cummings to do some interviews with Mike there. Stay tuned!EPISODE 30 SUMMARY & HIGHLIGHTSWhy should you write a book?9:04The first reason you should write a book is because it helps you share your ideas, expertise, and story with people.11:21It helps you build your business or extend your influence.14:00Writing a book helps in establishing your brand. Your book says a lot about you. This is why people spend a lot of time thinking through what's going to be inside.17:15When you write a book, you're leaving behind a legacy....(Full show notes & more resources visit connect.stepstoadvance.com) Check out the YouTube at:https://www.youtube.com/c/ADVANCEwithMikeAcker ----------To book Mike Acker to speak to your group or facilitate a specific workshop, email:media@stepstoadvance.com----------

INTRODUCTION TO EPISODE 29Do you sometimes feel like you need someone outside of your family to talk to or spend time with? That's why we all need friends in our life. Now that the world is still in lockdown conditions, good friends could make you feel less isolated. In today's episode of the Advance podcast, Mike shares the importance of friendships and discusses a few ways by which you can make good friends in life. He digs into his experience trying to find friends in the past and expands on what should and should not be done to build great friendships with people.What are the four principles to making friendships?5:19The first one is to extend yourself. If you're a leader, extend yourself because people are looking to you. Extend yourself, get away from the wall, and stop hiding behind responsibilities. 9:45Think through your first impression.  Think about how you make other people feel. People don't want to be friends with somebody who is all about them, no matter how impressive they are. When you meet someone, think through how you can connect to them, find out about them. As Dale Carnegie once said, everybody's most favorite word is their name. Learn their name.13:18Understand the ratio. When you put yourself out there, know that there could be people who don't connect back to you. ...(Full show notes & more resources visit connect.stepstoadvance.com) Check out the YouTube at:https://www.youtube.com/c/ADVANCEwithMikeAcker ----------To book Mike Acker to speak to your group or facilitate a specific workshop, email:media@stepstoadvance.com----------

INTRODUCTION TO EPISODE 28How can you reverse engineer leadership so as to succeed personally and professionally? Why is understanding your goals paramount to becoming a good leader?In this episode, Mike breaks down the process of accomplishing goals for anybody heading without or losing track of their vision in life. Learn why it is necessary to map your target before you start out on your venture.EPISODE 28 SUMMARY & HIGHLIGHTSHow does reverse engineering apply to leadership goals?2:19Many people start a business without any clearly mapped out vision. They don't have a direction in mind. It is important to know your goals before you set out on your journey. How do you get better at accomplishing your goals?3:36Identify your problem. It is one of the first steps to getting better.4:04Map out, know where you're going to go....(Full show notes & more resources visit connect.stepstoadvance.com) Check out the YouTube at:https://www.youtube.com/c/ADVANCEwithMikeAcker ----------To book Mike Acker to speak to your group or facilitate a specific workshop, email:media@stepstoadvance.com----------

INTRODUCTION TO EPISODE 27Are you a Rambler? If so, do you know how that impacts your audiences and clients? Rambling makes you lose not only time and interest, but also money. Join Mike Acker in today's episode as he talks about rambling in leadership and communication, walks you through the different types of rambling, and gives actionable advice to help you get over it. Listen in!EPISODE 27 SUMMARY & HIGHLIGHTSWhat are the three different types of rambling?2:50The first type of rambling is where you get off track, and repeat saying the same thing over and over again.3:40The second type of rambling is called meandering. Let's say, you're going down the track, you're on point A, maybe halfway to point B. And then a fascinating idea catches your mind. When you're speaking of that, your mind triggers another idea and you eventually, forget to understand where you are and what you are speaking about.You find that your people are losing interest.4:37The third type is where you're making up your speech as you go. How do you get rid of rambling?...(Full show notes & more resources visit connect.stepstoadvance.com) Check out the YouTube at:https://www.youtube.com/c/ADVANCEwithMikeAcker ----------To book Mike Acker to speak to your group or facilitate a specific workshop, email:media@stepstoadvance.com----------

INTRODUCTION TO EPISODE 26Knowing how to be lead through family decisions is as important as leading your way through your professional life. Learn how you can achieve the feat as Professor Christopher Brown walks us through the process. Dr. Christopher Brown is the author of the famous book, Ready to Kindergarten, and specializes in the whole area of leaving your kids in school. In this episode of the Advance podcast, Mike speaks to him on leading your child through the early stages of their life. They discuss kids' kindergarten period, the importance of understanding them better, and breaking free from traditional ways of learning and leading to help you succeed in being a good leader in your family. EPISODE 26 SUMMARY & HIGHLIGHTSWhat happens in kindergarten is not what's going to happen in our children's lives in the next 30 years. How do we understand this better?7:07Kids are going to continue to grow all throughout their lives. And so, if there's a setback, or if they make a mistake, it's not a big deal, we have to be there to help them learn, to make and correct that mistake, and move forward in their learning.  How important is it to understand your kids' interests and abilities?8:50You don't know what your kid is going to be interested in. You may think your kid is going to play high school football because you played high school football. But that may not be the case, your kid may become a theater kid. Trying to press your kid to be something that they may not want to be and making a decision so early in their life can be really disheartening for you and problematic for the relationship you want to establish with your kid. What are some of the things you should recognize before your child becomes five years old?14:15The first thing you could do is provide them with lots of different learning opportunities. Provide them with opportunities to interact with different adults so that they are comfortable in a group environment.14:30Give your kids the skills and the knowledge to take care of themselves. How can you, as a parent,  build a strong relationship with the school personnel?17:59The first thing we need to do as parents is to get to know them as human beings.18:15Once you do that, you start sharing what you know about your child with them.  What should families know in making the decision about sending their kids off to kindergarten?21:27The first thing is to know your kid. Know how he or she learns, what he or she wants in life, how she or he or she reacts to different learning situations.  KEY QUOTES:22:44-22:53“The more you prep your kid for those types of transitions, as you would as a leader of a company, the more you prep your employees for a transition that's going to happen, the more successful they're going to be within that situation.”28:28-28:38“As parents, we do want to be leaders. But we also want to be loving, caring people that our kids remember as they go through life, that they were there for us and supported us in all these big transitions, as they go forward.” RESOURCES MENTIONED●      Books-1.    Ready for Kindergarten by Dr. Christopher Brown(Full show notes & more resources visit connect.stepstoadvance.com) Check out the YouTube at:https://www.youtube.com/c/ADVANCEwithMikeAcker ----------To book Mike Acker to speak to your group or facilitate a specific workshop, email:media@stepstoadvance.com----------

INTRODUCTION TO EPISODE 25Self-empowerment happens when you start believing you can. When was the last time you had somebody help you believe in yourself and your potential? Join Mike Acker on this episode of the Advance podcast as he shows you how to empower oneself with the belief by walking you through a framework that tells you how to do that. He also talks about micromanagement and how it can bring employee motivation levels down. Listen in today and learn how to empower yourself and your people to set them up for ultimate success!EPISODE 25 SUMMARY & HIGHLIGHTSWhy is belief so important?2:47Belief in oneself brings support. When you empower someone to believe in themselves, you bring them to believe in themselves.How does micromanagement bring employee motivation down?7:42If you're a micromanager, know that you essentially tell your team that you don't believe in them. It tells them that they don't know what they're doing, that you really are needed, and you're the person in charge. It drains the morale out of people.  How do you empower people with belief?8:26Give your belief to them.8:36Stay vague when you give your belief to someone. They are then able to fill it in with their definition of success, with their definition of potential, not with your definition of potential. Don't fill that mold for them, don't create that role for them. Instead, put the backing behind them, put the push behind them, so they can find their own mold, their own role, their own place.11:48Peep in it. This means that when you believe in someone, it's not a one-time deal. And you don't just walk up to someone and say, I believe in you. Stay connected and check on them sometimes. KEY QUOTES:6:02-6:06“Belief is support backed by actions.”(Full show notes & more resources visit connect.stepstoadvance.com) Check out the YouTube at:https://www.youtube.com/c/ADVANCEwithMikeAcker ----------To book Mike Acker to speak to your group or facilitate a specific workshop, email:media@stepstoadvance.com----------

INTRODUCTION TO EPISODE 24Are you someone who is or will be seeking a job opportunity right now or in the next coming months? We are all in a wholly different world today, and the process of looking for jobs is not the same as it used to be before. How do you adapt to the changing times and find the next best step to landing your dream job? Join Mike Acker on this episode of the Advance Podcast as he interviews A. J. Mizes, a talent and human potential enthusiast with over a decade's worth of experience in career coaching and human resources. Listen in as he talks about overcoming self-limiting beliefs and the side-door job application method. He also talks about the changing patterns of his clients, differences in working professionals' emotional atmosphere, and how to make your way out through the changes and challenges of these times. EPISODE 24 SUMMARY & HIGHLIGHTSWhat is a pattern that you're noticing with all the clients that you're working with, in today's economy? 6:19The growing influence of self-limiting beliefs. We create stories about what we think is possible for ourselves, for our family, for our friends, for our job, whatever it may be.   One of the things that I'm working a lot with my private clients on is identifying when people are saying, 'Oh, I can't do that', or 'I wouldn't be qualified for this', or 'I shouldn't even go after that', because I don't have a college degree. Dig into that experience. And talk about the stories of what you've accomplished. And then look at the parallels between those experiences, those stories, and what you're looking to do. I guarantee you there's some synergy there.Is there a lot of angst in the people you're talking to, or is there more excitement? What would you say is the emotional atmosphere of a lot of the people you're talking to?9:49I think, anxious and nervous. And typically, what leads to those feelings is feeling unprepared or feeling like you're not worthy or feeling like it's not for you, and so on. Your brain starts to engage that fight or flight response that we all have in us. And so we start to retract, or we start to go into a place of safety. Our brain is starting a response for us to avoid things that are going to kill us or unsafe. And so then we begin to recognize if it is something that is going to kill you or if it makes you uncomfortable.What is the difference in the process of applying for jobs now versus a while ago? 12:07There is definitely an increase in the number of candidates in the job market right now. And so it's becoming increasingly difficult to stand out, there's no doubt about it. And the other thing is that you know, we're all interviewing now over the video, instead of getting flown on-site or driving to the interview and meeting everybody in person. Those two things really introduce a couple of things in terms of job search and the process and things that you have to overcome in terms of the job market and increase in candidates.What are some of the biggest tips that you have for preparing for an interview?18:20Tip number one is a way to hypothesize the types of questions you're going to get. Typically, you get three types of questions during an interview. One is the Tell me about yourself question. That's typically like an opener during an interview, and you can practice how to answer that. It should really be about a bit of who you are, where you grew up, and what you'd like to do, but then telling the interviewer who you are. The second type of question that you get is, why are you looking for a new job? And so you have to be able to answer the question, significantly if you're changing industries, talking about how that's aligned, that new industry is aligned to your passion, that you see that yo

INTRODUCTION TO EPISODE 23Do you realize that every one of us, right now, is designing our lives? Kristina Piader tells us why it is so by walking us through the many lessons she learned in her career as a Hollywood screenwriter. Join in to learn the SMART (Specific, Measurable, Actionable, Relevant, and Time-based) process of setting goals in the industry and what you can imbibe from it! Kristina has been a Hollywood screenwriter for 23 years. She has studied with the major Hollywood institutions, great storytelling teachers, and purveyors of her time from the feature film aspect. She joins me in this episode to discuss her book, The Hollywood Approach, sharing why it is unique in its approach and is more than just resilience training. Listen in for her unparalleled views on connecting Hollywood lessons with everyday lives and what lessons it brings us!To learn more about her, visit KristinaPaider.com.The Hollywood ApproachScript Your Life Like a Hit Movie and Live Your Wildest DreamBy Kristina PaiderEPISODE 23 SUMMARY & HIGHLIGHTSCan you tell us a bit of why the Hollywood approach is so effective?2:17The global entertainment industry in 2019 topped for the first time $101 billion. That figure is three times what it was ten years ago. It is a vastly growing market. And on an average of at least three continents, people are consuming 35 hours of television per week. Most of our stories are influenced by Hollywood. Is it fair to say that you're taking a more rounded approach and really investigating the person who is making a decision?17:23Yes. And again, it's not to say anything negative about what anyone else is doing. I think resilience is a broader topic and broader goal, and so it requires some broader thinking, whereas mine is more focused on a specific goal. I was delighted to learn that the overlap of examining strengths is also helpful to think about your resilience.What do you mean by the significance of the first?25:39The significance of the first is the tipping point for a cascade of momentum, actions, and other decisions. The first is saying yes to yourself and investing in yourself. Then, making a move, an action decision, and an action toward what you want.KEY QUOTES:10:21-10:28“I like to encourage people to analyze their success stories, then nurture their subconscious with those kinds of messages.”17:36-17:35“Resilience has a broader topic, and broader goal, and so requires maybe some broader thinking, whereas mine is more focused on a specific goal.”22:49-22:56“But either way, there's powerful information in examining flaws and making sure that we're observing the flaws and not judging them.” RESOURCES MENTIONED ON THE PODCAST:●      Book: The Hollywood Approach by Kristina Paider CONNECT WITH KRISTINAWebsite | LinkedIn (For more resources, at no cost, visit connect.stepstoadvance.com) Also, check out the video at https://www.youtube.com/c/ADVANCEwithMikeAcker 

INTRODUCTION TO EPISODE 22Do you want to get better but stay interested at the same time? If yes, how do you make sure you're not in a Groundhog Day by Bill Murray's system, living the same day over and over again? What rhythm can you create that would leave you some space to bring in something new from time to time?Join Mike on this episode of the Advance Podcast as he shows you how repetitive doing and creativity could go hand in hand and why you cannot choose to compromise on either of the two!(For more resources, at no cost, visit https://connect.stepstoadvance.com) EPISODE 22 SUMMARY & HIGHLIGHTSWhy is repetition necessary?3:19Repetition creates results. You need it for your communication in the company you lead or the position you hold. It would help if you kept going on the same track. You need to invest the money over a long period to see the results.How do you bring creativity to the repetitive tasks you perform?9:24For every few, do something new. Don't get stuck in a groundhog day, and don't jump from place to place, person to person, thing to thing. Find a balance between the two. KEY QUOTES:2:16-2:27“Repetition creates results. When you do the same thing again and again and you don't just practice it, practice doesn't make perfect, but perfect practice makes perfect. ”4:37-4:50“Most of what you're doing is repetitively the same good thing, whether that's leading the meeting in the same way so people know what expectations you are placing on them and the culture that you're building.” (For more resources, at no cost, visit connect.stepstoadvance.com) Also, check out the video at https://www.youtube.com/c/ADVANCEwithMikeAcker   

INTRODUCTION TO EPISODE 21Imagine being in a network comprising of people just like you but in different companies. Aren't these the kinds of people you would want to have more conversations with? How do you benefit from such an alchemy network? And how do you form one in the first place?“The Alchemist Entrepreneur” Dov Gordon joins Mike Acker in today's episode to talk about how you can get your ideal clients by becoming an under-the-radar leader, how to build and leverage profitable relationships, and why such relationships are the healthiest to nurture! You can find him at:Website:      https://ProfitableRelationships.comTelegram:   https://t.me/dovgordon  Facebook Page:   https://www.facebook.com/ConsistentFlowOfClients/ FacebookProfile:   https://www.facebook.com/DovGordon/LinkedIn:    https://www.linkedin.com/in/dovgordon/ Twitter:        https://twitter.com/DovGordonInstagram:  https://www.instagram.com/dovgordon/ YouTube:     https://youtube.com/c/DovGordon1 (Full show notes and more resources, at no cost, visit https://connect.stepstoadvance.com) EPISODE 21 SUMMARY & HIGHLIGHTSWhat do you mean by a corporate refugee?1:47A corporate refugee is somebody who did really well in the corporate world, or moderately well, and got to that point where they love doing what they're good at.What are the kinds of members in an alchemy network?22:05The first one is colleagues. Those are the people who are marketing and selling to the same audience as you.23:06A second audience or member type for your network would be ideal clients. These are the people that you are looking to reach as potential clients.Where and how do you host this network?(For the full show notes and more resources, at no cost, visit connect.stepstoadvance.com) Also, check out the video at https://www.youtube.com/c/ADVANCEwithMikeAcker 

INTRODUCTION TO EPISODE 20How does hype help in promoting your business? How do you use it to impact people with what you do today? Marketing strategies of our times increasingly revolve around hype. The excitement factor around your product or service goes a long way in promoting your business among the audience.In this episode, Mike speaks with Michael Schein of Microfame Media about hype in marketing, how it can help get your business, message, or platform out there, what the hip hop movement teaches you about hype and top strategies that can take your business to another level! Get Michael Schein's book here!  https://www.amazon.com/dp/126047013X/(Full show notes and more resources, at no cost, visit https://connect.stepstoadvance.com) EPISODE 20 SUMMARY & HIGHLIGHTSHow is hype a positive word in marketing?4:56If you're in the mainstream of your business, and you have all the advantages in the world, it's very easy to get to wherever. But if you're disadvantaged, you need to hype yourself up. This is why it has always been considered a positive thing.What are some of the most successful hype strategies?22:25One of them is the us-versus-them factor. Think of that idea in your industry that you've always secretly disliked. Pick fights with ideas.(For the full show notes and more resources, at no cost, visit connect.stepstoadvance.com) Also, check out the video at https://www.youtube.com/c/ADVANCEwithMikeAcker