Make It Matter: Strategies for Entrepreneurs and Small Businesses Owners to Have More Impact

In this session of the Make it Matter Podcast, we discuss the best business practices derived from the movie "The King's Speech." Behind every great leader, there are unsung heroes who support their success. Too often, we think WE are supposed to be the star... if we do our jobs right, it's actually our customer who shines. "The King's Speech" shows us the beauty of being in the background while someone else gets the applause.

In this episode of the Make it Matter Podcast – today we get some wisdom from some true experts in our field. And by field, we mean a literal field full of dogs.  Seriously, don't underestimate a dog's brilliance. Chiat Day is one of the most successful agencies in the world, and they live by this motto: "be more human (and if in doubt) be more dog." What can dogs actually teach us about the right way to live and do business?

Welcome to episode 14 of the Make it Matter Podcast – today's podcast gets "in tents" as we talk about the business principles that can be derived from a little time in the wild. What could roughing in nature possibly teach you about business? You might be surprised – Hanju's been on the road lately, and what he's learned could make a huge difference in your company. "All I need to know about business I learned from camping." What tools for your work can you actually find outside of the office? Point #1: "Be prepared" Preparation is harder than you think. The time to trick out the van, the sink, the packing, the food, the cleanup. I thought it would be peaceful but we were actually busy non-stop. The lesson: expect it to be tough. (Worst thought you can have: "this is going to be easy." Totally counterproductive thinking.) You're not doing something wrong just because it's hard. Point #2: "Be pioneering" Always ready for the adventure. Makes work fun and new, and helps you solve problems with a fresh perspective. (Divergent Thinking). The lesson? "Life finds a way." Point #3: "Be present" - Never miss a sunset. We really do think that getting out there, away from the daily norm, definitely gives you a new perspective. And I really like how Bru broke it down. Be Prepared, Be Pioneering and Be present. The 3P's. What a great lesson for all of us. And even those of us that just do not camp…and don't have any desire to. That's okay. No need to as long as you find your own way to step out and learn to see things a bit differently. It will bring more clarity, creativity, and even courage to shift from the grind. Those are my 3 C's. I was inspired to come up with my own 3 C's. Well, thanks for listening, everyone, and you know what? We would love to hear from you, so, just leave us a comment on the iTunes review or contact us directly by going to https://bosmediagroup.com/sayhello We added a record button on there so you can send us by voice, a question, a comment, or a shoutout, whatever you want. We might even play it on this podcast. So, in the meantime, thank you so much for listening, and remember to always MAKE IT MATTER.  Bye for now.

Welcome to episode 13 of the Make it Matter Podcast – today we discuss the Elon Musk book, and what we can learn (and not learn) from it. At BOS Media, we believe in having a learning posture. BUT we also want to be discerning. There are certain lessons we refuse to learn, even if they appear to lead to success. Hanju read the Elon Musk book this past year – listen as he and Bru debate the merits of Elon's approach to business. Point #1: "He's changing the world": Right away, I take issue with that phrase. MLK changed the world. Let's use different language for what Elon is doing – He’s personally benefiting from advances in tech and capitalism, for better AND worse for the world. Point #2: "How he treats people is a by-product of his greatness": This is the debate in the movie "Whiplash." Also similar to the Jordan documentary "The Last Dance." The thought is the DNA that led to him being the best involved INSANE levels of competitiveness and drive. Counterpoint: tell the actual stories, where’s the line? Would you want your kids to experience that? Point #3: "If you don’t like him, you’re a loser, because he’s a winner" What do you call a billionaire who's on his third marriage and has no relationship with his kids? A success. What does this mean about "being a man"? Conclusion: "It matters how we win” Be great! But, be great without losing your soul.

We hope this is a year of ABUNDANCE for you and your business – this podcast is about opening your eyes to all the riches available to you! So, why are we talking about this? Why do we think it’s so important? Well, for me, I think our mind is powerful, the way we think can be an incredible tool for our success...it can be an incredible tool for winning in business, winning in sports, and ultimately, winning in life. The Scarcity mindset...thinking that we have limited resources and when someone is succeeding, that someone else must be struggling. OR when someone is winning, someone must be losing, and when someone gets a huge promotion, the rest of us will be overlooked, so why even bother trying? We must change our mindset from scarcity to abundance. And how do we do that? Let me go over the 3 points that Bru went over: And I love this, as Bru said..first ask yourself...what you got? and deeply focus on what you have. And what is that you have? Point #1: We have an abundance of RELATIONSHIPS Point #2: We have an abundance of CREATIVITY Point #3: We have an abundance of RESOURCES  Also, here's a link to the song Bru was talking about: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0G383538qzQ We would love to hear from you, so, just leave us a comment on the iTunes review or contact us directly by going to https://bosmediagroup.com/sayhello. We added a record button on there so you can send us by voice, a question, a comment or a shoutout, whatever you want. We might even play it on this podcast. So, in the meantime, thank you so much for listening, and remember to always MAKE IT MATTER.  Bye for now.

Welcome to episode 11 of the Make it Matter Podcast – today is "Our Last Podcast." But don't worry, it's not actually our last podcast. It's just what we would want to say if it was.     2020 has felt like the end of the world, so that got us thinking – if this was the very last podcast we ever got to record, what would be our final words? We decided to use the post-apocalyptic atmosphere of this year to ponder: what's the best advice we would give our kids as they finish high school/college?  Hopefully, it helps your business as well! Famous last words: This song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jO2wSpAoxA&list=PLl7mjygVZ2v6xxTON7IRFgYVCvOZtxBdV&index=2&t=0s

Welcome to episode 10 of the Make it Matter Podcast – today we talk about what happens when something goes wrong, and how dealing with it the right way can change everything. I know you wish every interaction with a customer or a client could be perfect, but that’s not reality.  The big question is: what happens next?  How you handle it could make all the difference. Success in business is NOT about avoiding mistakes – it’s the grace that follows. Will you be petty and defensive, or will your kind response end up being what the customer remembers most? So, just to sum up our episode, here are the 3 things that we hope you can get out of this: The customer may not always be right, but you gain nothing by proving them wrong. Assume that people will tell the world about the mistake, so give them a good ending to the story! “The road to success is paved with mistakes well-handled.” -Danny Meyer https://www.amazon.com/Setting-Table-Transforming-Hospitality-Business/dp/0060742763 So our hope for you and your business is that you not try to cover up your mistakes and be seen as this flawless, perfect, and beautifully run business...but be more real and authentic by exposing your mistakes and make it right by turning it into a positive. 

Welcome to episode 9 of the Make it Matter Podcast – today we're back (finally!) to talk about "Pivoting" – an extremely important concept as we navigate this year. Pivot is our word for 2020 – a reminder that we have to be adaptable, and willing to make the major shifts in order to keep moving forward. Obviously, this has been one of the most challenging years in history. BUT hopefully, that also brings some opportunity for some much-needed adjustments. Most of us don't change until we have to; now, we have to. What are some pivots you can make? But before we go on, here's a quick, inspiring video on pivoting. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n67RYI_0sc0 Listen as Hanju share's his own pivot story from a background in corporate that led to the birth of BOS Media Group and also Bru's early in marriage story when Jill asked, "is this it?" Scary question, but led to a new world of traveling/friends (sometimes I think, if we had our wedding over, 95% of the guests change) What about YOUR Pivot? What advice do we have for people navigating change? Ask yourself this, "If this time was perfect, what would it be perfect for?"

Welcome to episode 8 of the Make it Matter Podcast – today we have a very serious conversation about Play and how it can shift the creative atmosphere in your business. Let’s get to work! “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.” If you’ve seen The Shining, you already understand the value of Play. But hopefully, today’s podcast will help reinforce the ways it can actually increase creativity and even productivity in your business. Last time we talked about the importance of Giving – today we discuss another counter-intuitive value: PLAY. Feels like a good follow-up, since it requires us to essentially give time to something that might look like a waste. BUT like giving, we believe if done correctly, play can unlock your thinking in ways that positively affect your bottom line. Set the mood Trick your brain The ZONE Also, we’re inspired by this quote by LP Jacks from his book, Education through recreation” so we will wrap up this podcast with this... “A master in the art of living draws no sharp distinction between his work and his play, his labour and his leisure, his mind and his body, his education and his recreation. He hardly knows which is which. He simply pursues his vision of excellence through whatever he is doing and leaves others to determine whether he is working or playing. To himself, he always seems to be doing both.” - LP Jacks  References: Changing Educational Paradigms: https://www.ted.com/talks/sir_ken_robinson_changing_education_paradigms Finding Neverland: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5_AOB9eCDM Golf Professionals having fun: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89P3ZiDkGeA Education through Recreation: https://books.google.com/books/about/Education_Through_Recreation.html?id=fsdEAAAAIAAJ Flow: https://www.amazon.com/Flow-Psychology-Experience-Perennial-Classics/dp/0061339202/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=flow+book&qid=1584649808&sr=8-1   Contact Us: Website: https://bosmediagroup.com Say hello and record a message to us: https://bosmediagroup.com/sayhello Give: https://bosmediagroup.com/give Thank you!    

Welcome to episode 7 of the Make it Matter Podcast – today we discuss a highly recommended book that captures so much of the BOS Media spirit: Give and Take: How Helping Others Drives Our Success. "For generations, we have focused on the individual drivers of success: passion, hard work, talent, and luck. But in today’s dramatically reconfigured world, success is increasingly dependent on how we interact with others. In Give and Take, Adam Grant, an award-winning researcher, and Wharton’s highest-rated professor examines the surprising forces that shape why some people rise to the top of the success ladder while others sink to the bottom. Praised by social scientists, business theorists, and corporate leaders, Give and Take opens up an approach to work, interactions, and productivity that is nothing short of revolutionary.” In this podcast, we’ll look at the hierarchy that Adam Grant has identified in business relationships and the surprising benefit that comes from focusing on others. Resources: Amazon link to the book Give and Take https://amzn.to/2SZhePI Give to the charity we care deeply about https://bosmediagroup.com/give  

In this episode, we double down on the idea of making business personal. In pretty much every episode, we talk about the family connection we feel with people we work with. But apparently, a fancy podcast with a bunch of followers disagrees. The fight is on. We’re not going to name names, but it all started when Hanju was listening to another podcast and they said they HATE when business owners talk about people they work with as “family” – they claim your one responsibility to co-workers is to grow your business because everyone wins when you make a profit. Today we will present our counterpoint to people who believe that work relationships shouldn’t be family, and argue that actually that position is what’s wrong with American business today. If treating people like family is wrong, we don’t wanna be right! Links to movies and TED Talk we reference: Ender's Game: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SRizeR4MmU Little Women: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AST2-4db4ic It's a Wonderful Life: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAtE1cGb1BM Just Mercy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVQbeG5yW78 Bryan Stevenson TED Talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/bryan_stevenson_we_need_to_talk_about_an_injustice?language=en Also, let us know what you think by leaving us a review or click on this link to talk to us. http://bosmediagroup.com/feedback

Welcome to episode 5 of the Make it Matter Podcast – kicking off a new decade together! Today we’ll share some thoughts about how to make 2020 the best year ever. We know everyone goes into January with big dreams of making this the best year ever… and we do too! That’s a good thing. Don’t be cynical – let’s get our hopes up again, this is our year!  Our BOS Media team has big dreams on the horizon. Today we’ll share a few words that we’re excited to step into this coming year.

In the first three episodes, we’ve talked about doing some deep thinking about your story. You may have thought, “That’s great, but I don’t have time for that - I’m too busy doing business!” If that’s you, please listen: this episode is for you. The world we live in is in a massive rush, and we don’t have to know you to say: You’re too busy. It may sound counterintuitive or even Impossible, but the hurry has to stop. At BOS Media Group, we believe in making your business more personal, but this CANNOT happen in a rush. Hurrying will threaten your most relationships and undermine the creative thinking that supports your most fruitful work. You have to SLOW DOWN. References: Read Solitude and Leadership:  http://bit.ly/37H6rzc Book 1: An Unhurried Life by Alan Fadling  https://amzn.to/2R2a7Vs Book 2: The Life You've Always Wanted by John Ortberg https://amzn.to/2T6OvKi We would also love to hear from you, so, just leave us a comment on the iTunes review or contact us directly by going to https://bosmediagroup.com In the meantime, thank you so much for listening and remember to always MAKE IT MATTER. 

Welcome to episode 3 of the Make it Matter Podcast. Last time we talked about the importance of your story – in this episode, we’ll talk about how that story can drive everything you do. There are too many businesses that just allow stuff to happen to them, like a boat drifting in the ocean. Our phrase for 2019 “True North” – it’s a reminder to keep your work aligned to what really matters. When your story is driving you, you know what to say “No” to – the distractions that can derail progress and ultimately ruin you. You’ll also learn to say “Yes” to clients and projects that bring you to life and keep you in your sweet spot. Distractions will start writing the story for you.  The more you’re in touch with your unique story, the more strategic you can be in how you make decisions and focus your energy on what you do best. Here are some thoughts... Point #1: Your story helps you say No. Beware: Distractions will ruin you. Point #2: Your story helps you say Yes. Knowing which clients to hire and projects to take on (plus not being afraid to fire customers - like the Southwest story). Point #3: Your story helps you find your unique sweet spot. What makes you different makes you powerful.  To summarize, you don’t need to look for answers in a business book...let your life speak. Your story will teach you to say no to distractions and Yes to the most fruitful way to work. Links: Who we are: https://bosmediagroup.com Great article for reference: https://hbr.org/2005/01/whats-your-story

“What’s your story?” That might be the most important question for business owners and entrepreneurs to answer. It will help you set priorities, give customers a clear understanding of your identity, and when you feel lost, it will be the North Star to guide you home. Remember that you are the writer here. You can decide what parts of the story to give weight to, and the moments you want to highlight. However, don’t feel like you need to hide the difficult parts – every great story has conflict, and people connect with you based on the challenges you’ve overcome, as long as you’re able to connect the dots clearly. Your story matters. The good and the bad, the changes and the core level non-negotiables that you are willing to fight for. Don’t just go to work and do your job day after day – remember who you are! The more you stay aligned to that, the more other people will be inspired to join in and do business with you. Don’t underestimate the power of your story. You may take it for granted, but the unique details that brought you to this point will differentiate you from the competition and help you have a sharper focus on your area of specialty. Contact us at https://bosmediagroup.com

In this episode of Make it Matter, we will introduce you to BOS Media Group which is our marketing agency and will help you understand some of the relational aspects of the business. We believe business is personal. The more human you are, the better for your business. Bots and algorithms will never be able to match real human connection – let that be the heart of what you bring to your work.  Bottom line: BOS Media is here to make you more human: More human type of content More human connection to everyone you work with More human way of treating customers  Check out what we do at https://bosmediagroup.com