Podcasts about Business development

In part 2 of this episode of the HVAC Know It All Podcast, host Gary McCreadie continues his conversation with Sal Randisi, Vice President of Business Development at Kano Labs - Makers of Kroil and Super Lube. They discuss the role of lubricants in HVAC maintenance, from penetrating oils like Kroil to dielectric greases and anti-seize solutions. Sal explains the importance of using the correct viscosity based on ISO standards and shares how proper lubrication can extend equipment life. The episode also highlights the benefits of products like Kroil with graphite and the new low-odor Kroil Clear for sensitive environments. Gary and Sal talk about how the right lubricants help HVAC techs keep systems running smoothly. Sal explains why using the correct oil viscosity matters and how ISO numbers help match specs across equipment. They go over when to use products like Kroil for rusted parts and how patience makes a difference with tough bolts. Sal shares tips on using dielectric grease, anti-seize, and new low-odor products for clean indoor jobs. They wrap up with advice on picking the best lube for each task and keeping tools ready for any service call. Expect to Learn: Why ISO viscosity standards matter when choosing lubricants for HVAC systems. How Kroil helps loosen rusted parts and why patience improves results. When to use products like Kroil with graphite or silicone for added protection. The best ways to use dielectric grease and anti-seize for long-term maintenance. How to build a complete lube kit for service calls in different HVAC settings. Episode Highlights:  [00:00] - Intro to Sal Randisi in Part 02 [02:01] - Introducing K Coil & Lubricant Talk [05:07] - Lubricant Standards (ISO vs. Others) [07:38] - How to Use K Coil Effectively [14:15] - How K Coil's "Creeping Oil" Technology Works [16:12] - Service Technician Mindset [20:31] - Closing Remarks & Appreciation This Episode is Kindly Sponsored by: Master: https://www.master.ca/ Cintas: https://www.cintas.com/ Cool Air Products: https://www.coolairproducts.net/ property.com: https://mccreadie.property.com SupplyHouse: https://www.supplyhouse.com/tm Use promo code HKIA5 to get 5% off your first order at Supplyhouse! Follow the Guest Sal Randisi on:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sal-randisi-10b58131/  Kano Labs - Makers of Kroil and Super Lube: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kano-laboratories/     Website: Kano Labs - Makers of Kroil and Super Lube: https://www.kroil.com/    Follow the Host: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-mccreadie-38217a77/  Website: https://www.hvacknowitall.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/HVAC-Know-It-All-2/61569643061429/   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hvacknowitall1/

If you think getting picked up by a podcast network is the fast track to podcast  growth, this episode will save you from some disappointment (and probably a bad contract).Stephen Perlstein, Senior VP of Business Development at Libsyn, joins me to break down how podcast networks actually work (and when the right one can be a smart move for your show). We're unpacking what networks do well, what they don't do, and the biggest red flags to watch for when evaluating a potential deal.So if you've been curious about podcast networks and want to know how to spot the signs of a partnership that can support long-term growth, hit play and let's dive in.1:02 – Why Getting “Picked Up by a Network” Won't Magically Grow Your Show3:26 – What a Podcast Network Actually Is (And What It's Not)10:08 – Major Red Flags to Watch for in Network Deals12:41 – Should You Ever Pay to Join a Podcast Network?13:12 – What Realistic Monetization Timelines Actually Look Like Episode Links:Meet Stephen Perlstein: Substack | LinkedInRead Stephen's take on where podcasting is headed: Building the Future of Podcasting Other Episodes You'll Love: Podcast Network Red Flags to Watch For → This episode was recorded on the Deity VO-7USupport the showLiked this episode? Share it with your podcasting friends! Love this show? Say thanks in true podcasting style by leaving a review. Take the Podcast Health Score™ to see exactly where your show is losing listeners and get a custom plan that shows you what to fix first. Join the On-Air Coaching waitlist for a chance to get coached on air by Courtney and get your podcast questions answered in real time. Get the Podcast SEO Mastery Course and learn how to optimize your show so the right listeners can actually find it. Apply for the PodLaunch® Accelerator and get deeper podcasting support and expert guidance tailored to your specific podcasting goals. Email us at hello@podlaunchhq.com to learn more. Follow Courtney for more podcasting insights: Linked In | Instagram | PodLaunchHQ.com ©Ⓟ 2018–2026 by Courtney Elmer. All Rights Reserved.

In this episode, we'll hear what can happen when brokers aren't financially prepared to weather market swings and how new regulations reshape the freight landscape with today's returning guest, Ken Adamo from DAT Freight & Analytics! We break down the new FMCSA broker financial responsibility rule, why automatic authority revocation within seven days is a necessary step toward freight market stability, stronger broker compliance, and more reliable carrier payments, the current freight market conditions—rates are moving up, but volumes and gross margins are flat, putting real pressure on broker profitability heading into early 2026, and why transparent pricing, flexible 12-month contracts, and honest shipper conversations matter more than ever!   About Ken Adamo Ken Adamo, Chief of Analytics and Vice President of Strategy and Business Development at DAT Freight & Analytics, leads strategy, customer engagement, and industry analysis. He played a key role in DAT's acquisition of Trucker Tools, strengthening the company's visibility solutions. A recognized expert in freight market trends, Adamo has helped customers navigate shifting conditions by translating complex data into practical insights. He has led key strategic initiatives, advanced predictive analytics, and serves as a trusted resource for industry analysts, customers, and journalists. Before DAT, he led pricing and decision science teams at FedEx, developing forecasting models to optimize decision-making and profitability. He was named a 2025 Pro to Know (Rising Stars category) by Supply & Demand Chain Executive and has been quoted in the Wall Street Journal and trade publications. Ken holds a bachelor's degree in Finance from the University of Akron and an MBA from The Ohio State University.   Connect with Ken Website: https://www.dat.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ken-adamo-8481611a/ / https://www.linkedin.com/company/dat-freight-and-analytics/  

I don't remember my first client's name.I barely remember the details of her sleep plan.But I remember exactly how she made me feel.This mom was the first person who ever paid me to support her family as a certified sleep consultant. Her six year old had been bedsharing for years, struggled with separation anxiety, and had never learned how to fall asleep independently.I had the training. I had the certification.What I didn't have was experience with big kids or confidence that came from doing the work.And yet, I showed up. I leaned on what I knew. I coached her with intention. And together, we helped her daughter gain independence, confidence, and better sleep.What stayed with me all these years later is not the method we used or how long it took. It's the way that first client trusted me. The way she valued my guidance. The way that experience made me realize, “I can do this.”This episode is for anyone who feels like they don't know enough yet.For anyone staring at their first client thinking, “What if I mess this up?”For anyone learning something new and wishing confidence would arrive first.It doesn't.Confidence is built by doing the work, not before it.If you are committed to learning, showing up fully, and supporting families with care and professionalism, you will figure it out. Every single time.If you'd like to learn more about becoming a Sleep Consultant, please join our Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/becomeasleepconsultantCPSM website: https://thecpsm.com/Book a free discovery call to learn how you can become a Certified Sleep Consultant here: https://jaynehavens.as.me/CPSM-Inquiry

Send us a textWhat happens when marketing incentives, pressure and poor training cross the compliance line? Nothing good. In this episode, Tony Kudner is joined by healthcare attorney Kate Proctor to unpack real-world “horror stories” where hospice marketing practices triggered False Claims Act risk – and how leaders can avoid the same mistakes. 

In this episode of the HVAC Know It All Podcast, host Gary McCreadie talks with Sal Randisi, Vice President of Business Development at Kano Labs - Makers of Kroil and Super Lube. Sal shares his expertise on lubrication, focusing on the importance of using the right grease for HVAC and industrial equipment. He explains how different greases work, the role of additives, and why over-greasing can cause failures. Sal also talks about best practices for maintaining bearings, including how to measure grease output and set proper schedules. The episode highlights how using the correct products and techniques can save time, prevent equipment wear, and improve overall maintenance. Sal Randisi, Vice President of Business Development at Kano Labs, joins Gary to talk about the science and best practices of lubrication. Sal explains what lubricants are, how they work, and why choosing the right one is key to keeping HVAC and industrial equipment running smoothly. He shares common mistakes like using the wrong grease or over-greasing bearings, which can lead to breakdowns. Sal also highlights how grease guns vary in output and why that matters for maintenance schedules. The conversation covers grease chemistry, color myths, and the benefits of using a multipurpose product like Super Lube to simplify work and extend equipment life.   Expect to Learn: What lubricants are and why the right one matters for HVAC and industrial use. How over-greasing or using the wrong grease can lead to equipment failure. Why do different grease guns deliver different amounts, and how to measure output correctly? How to set a proper maintenance schedule to save time and prevent breakdowns. Why the grease color does not equal performance, and how to choose the right product for the job. Episode Highlights: [00:00] - Intro to Sal Randisi in Part 1 [02:28] - Lubrication Science & Purpose [04:33] - Case: UV Damage to Grease in Southern California [07:09] - Sealed vs. Greaseable Bearings [10:39] - Proper Greasing: Volume & Scheduling [15:16] - Grease Color Myths Debunked [20:08] - Multipurpose Grease Benefits   This Episode is Kindly Sponsored by: Master: https://www.master.ca/ Cintas: https://www.cintas.com/ Cool Air Products: https://www.coolairproducts.net/ property.com: https://mccreadie.property.com SupplyHouse: https://www.supplyhouse.com/tm Use promo code HKIA5 to get 5% off your first order at Supplyhouse!   Follow the Guest Sal Randisi on: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sal-randisi-10b58131/ Kano Labs - Makers of Kroil and Super Lube: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kano-laboratories/ Website: Kano Labs - Makers of Kroil and Super Lube: https://www.kroil.com/   Follow the Host: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-mccreadie-38217a77/ Website: https://www.hvacknowitall.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/HVAC-Know-It-All-2/61569643061429/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hvacknowitall1/ 

Keywords   branding, entrepreneurship, public relations, personal branding, networking, female entrepreneurs, business growth, content creation, pricing strategy, marketing Takeaways   Personal branding is crucial for entrepreneurs. Networking is essential for business growth. Understanding your audience helps tailor your messaging. Content creation should be consistent and engaging. PR should not be gatekept; it should be accessible. Charging what you're worth is important for sustainability. Utilizing platforms like Substack can enhance visibility. Podcasts are a powerful medium for reaching audiences. Discounting services can harm the industry as a whole. Building a strong personal brand can lead to more business opportunities. Summary   In this engaging conversation, Melinda Jackson shares her journey from a small town in North Carolina to becoming a successful entrepreneur in the PR industry. She discusses the importance of personal branding, networking, and understanding one's audience in building a business. Melinda emphasizes the need for consistent content creation and the value of charging what you're worth. She also highlights the role of podcasts and platforms like Substack in enhancing visibility for entrepreneurs. As she navigates the challenges of running her own business, Melinda shares her future plans and her mission to empower female entrepreneurs. Titles   From Small Town to Big Dreams: Melinda's Journey The Power of Personal Branding in Business Sound bites   "Networking is essential for business growth." "Personal branding is crucial for entrepreneurs." "Empowering female entrepreneurs is my mission." Chapters   00:00 Introduction and Background 05:16 Journey to Los Angeles and Early Career 10:28 Transitioning to Entrepreneurship 17:16 Building a PR Business 23:07 Focus on Female Entrepreneurs and Personal Branding 26:32 Navigating Client Relationships and Online Presence 32:54 Building a Personal Brand for Small Business Owners 38:56 The Value of Sharing Knowledge and Expertise 44:39 Pricing Strategies and Industry Standards 46:20 Future Goals and Business Development

Gamers spend thousands on in-game items like Fortnite skins—but they can't resell them. In this interview, Oliver Moroni, Head of Business Development & Partnerships at OpenSea, explains why Web3 changes that through true digital ownership, open marketplaces, and a growing player-creator economy.We talk about:Why Web3 gaming lets players buy, own, and sell digital itemsHow OpenSea evolved beyond NFTs into tokens and multi-chain tradingThe most promising Web3 gaming use cases: skins, in-game tokens, TCGs, and RWAsWhether NFTs are really “dead” or just in a market cycleHow OpenSea rebuilds trust and protects users from scamsThe future of digital ownership and what traditional gamers aren't ready for yetIf you're curious how Web3 will reshape gaming, this conversation is for you.00:00 The Promise of Web3 and Digital Ownership04:09 OpenSea's Unique Position in the NFT Market07:51 The Future of Gaming and NFTs11:54 Navigating the NFT Market: Challenges and Opportunities16:04 Building Trust in the NFT Space20:02 The Future of Digital Ownership: Bridging Digital and Physical#Web3Gaming #OpenSea #NFTGaming

Many operational risks in component manufacturing don't show up all at once—they build quietly over time. In this two part episode, Jess Lohse, Executive Director of SBCA, and Abby Langenberg, Director of Business Development, discuss common communication and consistency challenges between the plant and the jobsite, and how small gaps in information, process, and documentation can lead to larger downstream issues across operations. They also explore practical ways manufacturers can identify and address these “quiet risks” before they impact quality, schedules, or builder trust.

Happy New Year! I'm thrilled to kick off 2026 with our first podcast episode this year! Whether you're recovering from last night's celebrations or enjoying a refreshing walk, this insightful discussion is the perfect way to start the year. Dale is joined by Kirsty Matthews, the CEO of DFN Project Search, to discuss 'From classroom to career: The power of supported internships'. Kirsty sheds light on the challenges faced by young people with learning disabilities in the job market. She shares a shocking statistic: less than 5% of individuals with a learning disability known to their local authority in England secure paid employment, compared to 80% of their peers. DFN Project SEARCH aims to change that, with an ambitious goal of supporting over 10,000 young adults into meaningful paid employment by 2030. Kirsty discusses: The importance of creating structured pathways to employment. How supported internships build confidence and skills in a supportive environment. The incredible impact of seeing neurodiverse individuals thrive in the workplace. "It raises everybody's expectation about what is possible. Bit by bit, we can begin to change the whole face of how we work and take those barriers that we were talking about out." Kirsty Matthews Listen to discover how enhanced career opportunities can empower young adults with learning disabilities and those on the autism spectrum to lead positive, independent, and fulfilling lives. View all podcasts available or visit our SENDcast sessions shop!   About Kirsty Matthews Kirsty was appointed as CEO of DFN Project SEARCH in September 2024.   DFN Project SEARCH is a national charity serving young adults who have a learning disability or are autistic, or both, to make a positive transition from education into permanent full-time employment.  Her previous roles include:   CEO of hft (2020 – 2023)  Managing Director of Virgin Care (2017 – 2020)  Non-Executive Director of Salisbury Hospital NHS Foundations (2016 – 2017)  CEO of the Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases (2008 – 2015)  Director of Business Development at Nutricia UK (1996 – 2007)    Contact Kirsty https://www.dfnprojectsearch.org/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100067093805818 https://www.instagram.com/dfnprojectsearch https://x.com/dfnsearch   Useful Links DFN Project SEARCH 2024 Annual Report CYP Now - Breaking barriers to employment How young people can boost chances with ways out of AI-fuelled job dilemmas | The Sun   B Squared Website – www.bsquared.co.uk  Meeting with Dale to find out about B Squared - https://calendly.com/b-squared-team/overview-of-b-squared-sendcast  Email Dale – dale@bsquared.co.uk  Subscribe to the SENDcast - https://www.thesendcast.com/subscribe   The SENDcast is powered by B Squared We have been involved with Special Educational Needs for over 25 years, helping show the small steps of progress pupils with SEND make. B Squared has worked with thousands of schools, we understand the challenges professionals working in SEND face. We wanted a way to support these hardworking professionals - which is why we launched The SENDcast! Click the button below to find out more about how B Squared can help improve assessment for pupils with SEND in your school.

Didn't have a chance to attend the 2025 Growth Summit? Listen in to our Power 101 panel featuring SMGA CEO Tyler Tordsen as the panel moderator and panelists: Sam Wagner (Business and Community Development Manager, MidAmerican Energy), Steve Kolbeck (State Director-SD, Xcel Energy), and Mike Jaspers (VP of Business Development, East River Electric).

Sometimes we are our own biggest roadblocks on this journey through entrepreneurship. We have big ideas, we dream up big plans, but then our own self-doubt and fear of failure creeps in and we hold ourselves back. I was chatting with a prospective CPSM student who expressed that her only hesitation in enrolling in the program is the business piece. She has never started her own business and that feels scary and overwhelming. She knows she will be great at supporting families, and she is passionate about healthy sleep habits for children, but what if she fails? Well, you can't succeed if you don't even try! On this episode of the Becoming a Sleep Consultant podcast, I share: - That the irony around fear of failure is that if you are so afraid to fail that you don't even try, then you failed before even getting started! - How we can relate these feelings we have as sleep consultants back to our clients. When our clients are finally ready to make a change, and try to teach their child to fall asleep in a new way, that's when they can have a really meaningful transformation! - When you say yes to yourself, that's the very first step on your new adventure. It's sometimes scary, always thrilling, and entirely worth it!  If you'd like to learn more about becoming a Sleep Consultant, please join our Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/becomeasleepconsultantCPSM website: https://thecpsm.com/Book a free discovery call to learn how you can become a Certified Sleep Consultant here: https://jaynehavens.as.me/CPSM-Inquiry 

2025 Highlights: The Doctor of Connections & Building Momentum for 2026Guest: Theresa Benvenuto, Doctor of ConnectionsHost: Julie RigaEpisode Type: Special Holiday Edition - Year in ReviewOverviewIn this special holiday edition, Julie sits down with Theresa Benvenuto (affectionately known as "Benvenuts" and the "Doctor of Connections") to reflect on an extraordinary year of growth, transformation, and meaningful relationships. Together, they celebrate the wins, share lessons learned, and look ahead to the opportunities awaiting in 2026. This episode is a heartwarming reminder that success isn't just about what you achieve. It's about who you become and the connections you nurture along the way.2025 Highlights: The Doctor of Connections & Building Momentum for 2026About This EpisodeJulie and Theresa reflect on an extraordinary 2025 filled with networking adventures, leadership growth, and meaningful transformations. From the Vault Conference to building the Before I Lead program, they share behind-the-scenes stories and remind us that the sweetness of business lies in the relationships we build.Guest BackgroundTheresa Benvenuto brings 20+ years of pharmaceutical experience into her second career as a business development specialist and connector extraordinaire. Her nickname "Doctor of Connections" reflects her gift for getting people "Directly On Calendar" (DOC) and creating meaningful business relationships that lead to transformation.Fun Fact: Theresa's favorite holiday cookie is the Christmas Tree, an Italian S-cookie from her grandmother's recipe that she makes every year in her memory.Key TopicsThe Birth of "Doctor of Connections": How Theresa's identity evolved from Doctor of Pharmacy to Doctor of Connections, capturing her passion for business development and networking.2025 Highlights:The Vault Conference in FloridaBuilding the Before I Lead ProgramThe Before I Sell Initiative and LinkedIn strategyEpic Networking Group and holiday networking eventsThe Power of Accountability: How the Before I Lead program provides leaders with accountability that accelerates growth and proves that prospecting work done today shows results 30 days later.Memorable Quotes"We planted a lot of seeds this year, and our plants and roses and beautiful flowers are gonna grow in 2026.""We get lost in the flurry of all the work that we have to do that we forget the sweetness of business. And the sweetness of business is the relationships that we build.""If I can help you change the way you're doing something that is plaguing you, then I've done my job."Key TakeawaysRelationships Are the Sweetness of Business - Prioritize authentic connection over tasksAccountability Accelerates Growth - Join groups that challenge your limiting beliefsThe 30-Day Rule Works - Consistent prospecting today creates results in 30 daysChallenge Your Stories - Rewrite the narratives holding you backInvest in Yourself First - Make your growth a non-negotiable investmentNetwork with Purpose - Show up authentically everywhereAha Moments Change Everything - Stay open to transformationConnectTheresa Benvenuto: Doctor of Connections specializing in Business Development, LinkedIn Strategy, and NetworkingJulie Riga: Leadership Coach offering Before I Lead programHoliday Wishes: Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year! Here's to a healthy, purposeful, and transformational 2026. Stay on course!

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. Since its founding as a small family-owned construction company, Mortenson has grown into a trusted leader in Utah, delivering transformative projects across the state, shaping communities, supporting local growth and driving innovation that strengthens the region. Director of Business Development, Josh Caldwell, joins us with more. Josh Caldwell: Since 1983, Mortenson has proudly delivered transformative projects across the state — and consistently since 2017. Today we have more than 200 team members who call Utah home, bringing national expertise and a ton of horsepower to execute locally. We've built over 5,000,000,000 dollars in projects here, over the past couple of years and we're shaping communities through healthcare facilities, data centers, life science labs, industrial spaces and iconic sports and entertainment venues. But Mortenson is more than just a builder — we're a developer and an investor as well, having acquired over 500,000 square feet of office space and over 1,800,000 square feet of industrial product in Utah just in the past couple of years. We also focus on sustainability, innovation and community impact in every project, ensuring lasting value, stronger communities and meaningful experiences for generations to come. At the end of the day our commitment is simple: we're here to redefine what's possible for Utah's future. We are Mortenson. We are Utah. Derek Miller: Mortenson continues to shape Utah's communities, delivering projects that inspire innovation, create new opportunities, foster growth and leave a lasting, meaningful impact for generations to come. Learn more about their work and vision at Mortenson.com. I'm Derek Miller, with the Salt Lake Chamber, Speaking on Business. Originally aired: 12/29/25

On today's FRIDAY FACEOFF episode, Toph and Vechs bring on JP Buckley, the VP of Sales & Business Development for Helios Hockey. Buckley joins us to talk about all of the awesome new features Helios will be rolling out in the new year. TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW! We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating, and share on your social sites! Follow us: IG: @HockeyThinkTank X (Twitter): @HockeyThinkTank TikTok: @HockeyThinkTank Facebook: TheHockeyThinkTank Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of The Free Lawyer podcast, the host interviews Anthonia Berry, a seasoned legal marketing and business development strategist. Anthonia shares her journey into legal marketing, clarifies the difference between marketing and business development, and offers practical tips for attorneys to build sustainable client relationships. She discusses the impact of technology on legal business growth, the enduring importance of human connection, and the value of personalized coaching. Anthonia emphasizes aligning one's legal practice with personal passion and invites listeners to connect for further guidance on intentional business development.At the helm of Strategy Academy is Anthonia Berry, a seasoned legal marketing and business development strategist with over 19 years of experience working with international and national law firms across the world. With deep industry expertise, she understands the unique challenges attorneys and law firms face in developing and sustaining client relationships in an increasingly competitive market.Anthonia is known for her tailored, action-oriented approach, crafting custom business development strategies that align with each firm's unique objectives and market position. Her proven track record includes successfully guiding law firms of all sizes in implementing growth-driven initiatives that yield measurable results.Under her leadership, Strategy Academy provides a holistic business development framework, from one-on-one advisement for attorneys to firm-wide strategy development, ensuring both short-term success and long-term sustainability. Committed to helping law firms not just compete—but lead, Anthonia continues to empower legal professionals with the insights, tools, and strategies needed to thrive in today's legal marketplace.Anthonia's Journey into Legal Marketing (00:01:33)Innate Talent vs. Learned Skills (00:03:24)Business Development vs. Marketing (00:05:07)Why Established Lawyers Need Business Development (00:06:17).Anthonia's Unique Approach at Strategy Academy (00:09:13)Tailoring Strategies for Different Law Firms (00:11:24)Three Immediate Business Development Actions (00:12:54)Building Organic, Not Salesy, Relationships (00:16:39)Recent Shifts in Legal Marketing (00:20:02)The Future: AI and Digital Trends (00:22:48)The Value of Outside Coaching (00:24:20)Choosing the Right Support Model (00:27:03)Advice for Building an Aligned Practice (00:29:12)You can find The Free Lawyer Assessment here- https://www.garymiles.net/the-free-lawyer-assessmentWould you like to learn what it looks like to become a truly Free Lawyer? You can schedule a complimentary call here: https://calendly.com/garymiles-successcoach/one-one-discovery-callWould you like to learn more about Breaking Free or order your copy? https://www.garymiles.net/break-free

Dan Fay serves as Chief Distribution Officer, overseeing Stadion's sales and business development teams. In this role, he is responsible for distribution through Stadion's institutional relationships, which include retirement recordkeeping partners, retirement advisor firms, and asset managers. With Dan's leadership, Stadion has expanded our nationwide distribution of retirement managed accounts and raised awareness of the benefits of personalization. Prior to being Chief Distribution Officer, he was Stadion's SVP, Sales and Business Development. Dan has spent his entire 25+ year career in the retirement industry. Prior to joining Stadion in 2018, Dan served as Senior Advisor Relations Manager at Financial Engines with responsibility for establishing and managing relationships with leading financial advisor and consulting firms. He identified and developed new business opportunities through advisors and consultants, leading to the distribution of the firm's managed account service. Prior to that, Dan was a National Accounts Manager with responsibility for business development at MassMutual Retirement Services. While there, he developed retirement plan opportunities and sales through financial advisor firms. In this episode, Eric and Dan Fay discuss:Recognizing the value of true personalizationStrengthening participant confidence through guidanceEvaluating solutions with a fiduciary mindsetLeveraging managed accounts as a strategic advantageKey Takeaways:Personalized allocations built on multiple data points lead to better decisions than age-based defaults. They guide participants toward healthier savings habits and steadier long-term outcomes.When participants feel supported, they make calmer, wiser financial choices. This confidence often leads to higher contribution rates and more consistent engagement.Committees must review fees, reporting, demographics, and engagement regularly. Documenting decisions ensures a strong, compliant process that protects participants.Advisors who bring personalized solutions early reinforce trust and stay ahead of competitors. Proactive education becomes a distinct advantage in maintaining strong client relationships.“For the advisor, it's, how do you differentiate yourself, right, from your competition?... If that competing advisor makes [the sponsor] aware of something or brings something of value to them that you haven't, that could obviously jeopardize that client relationship.” - Dan FayConnect with Dan Fay:Website: www.stadionmoney.com Connect with Eric Dyson: Website: https://90northllc.com/Phone: 940-248-4800Email: contact@90northllc.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/401kguy/ Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Investments are subject to risk, and any of Stadion's investment strategies may lose money.Stadion Money Management, LLC (“Stadion”) is a registered investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. More information about Stadion, including fees, can be found in Stadion's ADV Part 2, which is available free of charge.The information and content of this podcast are general in nature and are provided solely for educational and informational purposes. It is believed to be accurate and reliable as of the posting date, but may be subject to change.It is not intended to provide a specific recommendation for any type of product or service discussed in this presentation or to provide any warranties, investment advice, financial advice, tax, plan design, or legal advice (unless otherwise specifically indicated). Please consult your own independent advisor as to any investment, tax, or legal statements made.The specific facts and circumstances of all qualified plans can vary, and the information contained in this podcast may or may not apply to your individual circumstances or to your plan or client plan-specific circumstances.SMM-2512-34

Five years ago, A-Game was just an idea. In this episode, Smith and Mayhew rewind the clock and reflect on what it's actually taken to build a business, grow as men, and stay in the game through uncertainty, self-doubt and hard lessons. This is an honest conversation about growth, purpose, and what happens when you stop pretending you've got it all figured out. Register for our FREE event in Leeds - The A-Game Boardroom: Build your 2026: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-a-game-boardroom-build-your-2026-tickets-1977032554591?aff=oddtdtcreator   Adam Smith From depressed and suicidal to the happiest and fittest he's ever been, Adam Smith's self-development journey hasn't been easy but it has been worth it. Today, he's a qualified mindset coach in neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) and a certified Time Line Therapist®. Adam has coached many high performers, using NLP to rewire his clients' thoughts and behaviours so they can destroy limiting beliefs and engineer the change needed to excel. Connect with Adam Smith: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-smith-high-performance-coach/ Adam Mayhew Adam Mayhew swapped burnout and binge drinking for ultra marathons, CrossFit and sobriety. A registered nutritional therapist specialising in performance nutrition, Adam supports everyone from office workers to athletes to build healthy eating habits. Using science (and never fad diets, quick fixes or gym bro culture) he helps clients target their problem areas and confidently master diet, training and lifestyle. Connect with Adam Mayhew: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-mayhew-nutrition-coaching/ To find out more about Smith & Mayhew: https://agameconsultancy.com/about/

What do you do when your EHR vendor suddenly shuts down and you only have months to find a replacement? For Sound Physicians, that deadline sparked a bold pivot - one that put APIs and collaboration at the center of their technology strategy.In this interview, Dria McCluskey, SVP of Innovation and Technology at Sound Physicians, and Venky Chellappa, VP of Sales and Business Development at CharmHealth, share how they tackled a high-stakes RFP and built a partnership that will help both organizations in the years ahead. What could have been a crisis, became a solid foundation through close collaboration, dedicated executive leaders, and a willingness to stretch in new directions. The lesson for all Health IT vendors: It's not always about features. It's about being easy to work with too.

On today's episode of the Becoming a Sleep Consultant podcast, I am joined by Allison Henderson, business coach and social media strategist who specializes in helping sleep consultants grow their client base both locally and online. She blends practical strategy with mindset and energetic growth practices, helping her clients build sustainable businesses and, for many, replace their corporate income.As we wrap up 2025 and look ahead to 2026, we focused this conversation on goal setting and intention setting for service-based business owners. We talked about where to start when goals feel overwhelming, how to think about money without guilt, and why clarity and consistency matter more than chasing every strategy you see online.This episode is especially relevant for sleep consultants who are wanting their goals to support both their income and their lifestyle. Alison shares practical ways to turn intentions into action, stay focused on what actually works, and tune out the noise that can lead to comparison and burnout.If you're heading into the new year thinking about how you want your business and your life to feel, you're going to love this conversation!Links: Website: https://www.allisonhendersoncoaching.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allisonhenderson_coach If you'd like to learn more about becoming a Sleep Consultant, please join our Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/becomeasleepconsultantCPSM website: https://thecpsm.com/Book a free discovery call to learn how you can become a Certified Sleep Consultant here: https://jaynehavens.as.me/CPSM-Inquiry

In this episode, Majeed Mogharreban interviews Jim Ries, Director of Business Development at Offit Kurman, a leading full-service law firm. Jim shares his unique perspective on how legal professionals can add value far beyond the courtroom—by becoming trusted connectors, strategic advisors, and powerful advocates for their clients' success. Jim's approach to business development, relationship building, and public speaking is refreshingly human, practical, and generous. Whether you're a lawyer, entrepreneur, or speaker looking to build credibility and expand your influence, this conversation is packed with gems. Key Takeaways: Adding Value Beyond Legal Advice Jim sees law not just as a practice—but as a platform for helping others grow. He shares how attorneys can position themselves as problem-solvers, connectors, and business advisors, not just legal technicians. The Power of Strategic Introductions Jim explains how he built a strong reputation by proactively making high-value introductions for his clients and network. He shares his framework for being a "super-connector" and why this pays off long-term. Speaking to Build Trust and Visibility Jim speaks regularly at events, webinars, and panels—and views public speaking as a trust-building strategy. He shares how to craft talks that educate, connect, and open doors for future business. Relationship-Driven Business Development Forget the hard pitch. Jim believes the best business development comes from service, consistency, and doing what you say you will do. His "long-game" mindset creates loyal clients and strong referrals. What Every Speaker Should Know About Legal Protections Jim touches on key legal considerations for thought leaders—from intellectual property to contracts and protecting your content. Notable Quotes: "I'm not just in the business of law—I'm in the business of helping people succeed." – Jim Ries "If I can introduce two people who can help each other, I've added value. And that value always comes back." – Jim Ries "Speaking gives you the stage—but trust is what keeps people listening." – Jim Ries "Business is built on relationships, not transactions." – Jim Ries Action Steps: Visit offitkurman.com to learn more about Jim's firm and services Make a list of 5 people in your network you could introduce to someone else today—then do it Reflect on your speaking strategy: are you building trust or just broadcasting? Review your contracts and IP protections—don't leave your best work legally exposed Listen If You Are: A legal professional looking to grow your book of business A speaker or coach seeking to build trust through service and strategic visibility An entrepreneur who wants to understand how to better leverage legal partnerships A networker, connector, or business developer who plays the long game Someone who values authenticity and generosity in professional relationships

In this episode, Wayne Pollock (Founder of the Law Firm Editorial Service) explains the dirty little secret reason why more attorneys don't consistently create thought leadership content, and what their marketing and business development colleagues should do about it.====+ Learn more about Wayne Pollock, the host of Legally Contented and the founder of the Law Firm Editorial Service: https://www.linkedin.com/in/waynepollock+ Learn more about the Law Firm Editorial Service:http://www.lawfirmeditorialservice.com+ Do you have any idea how much money your firm is losing when its lawyers write thought-leadership marketing and business development content themselves?Learn how much with the Law Firm Editorial Service's Thought Leadership Cost Calculator:http://www.WriteLessBillMore.com+ Do you want to elevate your thought leadership, distinguish yourself from your competitors, and never again be your target clients' second choice?Our Legal Thought Leadership Accelerator is a FREE five-day educational email course, in which you will learn five advanced principles for conceptualizing and crafting revenue-generating legal thought leadership that positions you to be your target clients' top choice over your competitors (and the one the media regularly calls and conference organizers regularly put on stage):https://www.lawfirmeditorialservice.com/legal-thought-leadership-accelerator+ Check out blog posts and videos designed to help you and your colleagues improve their content marketing and thought-leadership marketing efforts:https://www.lawfirmeditorialservice.com/bloghttps://www.lawfirmeditorialservice.com/videos+ Do you have a question about content  marketing or thought-leadership marketing you would like us to answer on a future Practice Pointer episode? Please email us at hello@legallycontented.com

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. For 60 years, Haskell has been a fully integrated architecture, engineering and construction firm, delivering complex capital projects both across the globe and right here in Utah. Director of Business Development, Matt Williams, joins us with more. Matt Williams: Founded in 1965, Haskell was one of the first firms to bring design and construction together under one roof to improve outcomes for clients. As a founding member of the Design-Build Institute of America, our team now includes more than 2,800 professionals worldwide and 3,000,000,000 dollars in annual revenue. In Utah and the Mountain West, we focus on water and wastewater treatment, municipal facilities, education, healthcare, religious and cultural spaces, aviation and aerospace and food and beverage manufacturing. We self-perform key scopes of work, giving us greater control over quality, safety and schedule. Consistently recognized by the Engineering News-Record as a top national and regional contractor, we're also proud to be voted one of the best places to work — because great people build great projects. At Haskell, we deliver an exceptional client experience built on trust, transparency and a deep understanding of our partners' goals. Together, we create things that matter. Derek Miller: From water and municipal facilities to education and healthcare, Haskell is helping build a stronger, smarter and more sustainable Utah for everyone. To learn more about Haskell and their projects shaping Utah's communities, visit Haskell.com. I'm Derek Miller, with the Salt Lake Chamber, Speaking on Business. Originally aired: 12/23/25

Ever wondered how City Mattress sells higher-ticket beds and keeps customers raving? Discover the “secret sauce” that's changing the mattress game.What really sets City Mattress apart from the crowd? In this episode, Mark Kinsley sits down with Jason Goodman, Head of Business Development at City Mattress, to reveal the “secret sauce” behind one of America's most respected mattress retailers. Learn how a multi-generation family business consistently commands higher prices, keeps customers loyal, and builds a company culture that sales teams love.If you've ever struggled to keep margins up, train sales staff effectively, or differentiate your retail experience, you'll get actionable insights straight from a brand with nearly 60 years of proven results. Jason shares how the Prana Sleep brand became their secret weapon—why owning the factory matters, how a written “retail cookbook” drives repeatable success, and the surprising importance of *love* in business.Whether you're a sleep industry pro or a health-focused consumer, you'll discover:- How City Mattress balances quality, margin, and velocity for same-store margin growth- The innovative slat system that reduces returns and customizes comfort instantly- Why written processes (not just good intentions) make all the difference for scaling and consistency- The power of culture and long-tenured staff in an industry known for churnStay tuned for real-world examples, a peek inside the most beautiful mattress factory in America, and practical tips you can remix for your own business.Timestamps:- 00:34 – The 250-Year Ravioli Recipe & City Mattress's Family Legacy- 03:35 – “Made with Love”: Why People Are the Core Ingredient- 06:32 – Prana Sleep: How Owning the Factory Changes Everything- 09:57 – The Only Mattress Quilting Machine Like This in the World?- 12:52 – Adjustable Slat Systems: The Secret to Fewer Returns & Happy Couples- 17:20 – The “Retail Cookbook”: 4 Metrics Every Store Must Balance- 21:07 – Why Selling *With* Prana Sleep Beats Selling Against It- 24:10 – What Today's Health-Conscious Consumers Actually Want- 25:35 – Documenting the Recipe: The Power of Written Training & Processes- 29:43 – The Chili Cook-Off Lesson: Why Writing Down Your Process Wins Every Time- 33:18 – How City Mattress Became a Rare Retail-Product InnovatorConnect with The FAM Podcast:

In this episode of Data in Biotech, Ross Katz sits down with Callie Celichowski and Isa Kupke from Veloxity Labs to discuss how their CRO leverages speed, precision, and innovation to support drug development. Learn how they use mass spectrometry, cloud-based infrastructure, and hands-on client partnerships to drive rapid, high-quality bioanalytical insights that support everything from preclinical studies to FDA submissions. What you'll learn in this episode: >> Why "speed with purpose" is essential for bioanalytical CROs supporting biotech and pharma clients >> The benefits and challenges of working with peptides and GLP-1 receptor agonists >> How the SCIEX 8600 enhances detection of low-concentration analytes Meet our guests Isa Kupke is Scientist II at Veloxity Labs, where she specializes in mass spectrometry and method development for preclinical and regulated bioanalytical programs. She also co-founded Blyde Botanics, bridging plant-based science and product development. Callie Celichowski is Senior Director of Business Development at Veloxity Labs, with over two decades in the pharmaceutical and CRO space. She's recognized for building strategic client partnerships and driving rapid, data-driven decision-making. About the host Ross Katz is Principal and Data Science Lead at CorrDyn. Ross specializes in building intelligent data systems that empower biotech and healthcare organizations to extract insights and drive innovation. Connect with Our Guest: Sponsor: CorrDyn, a data consultancyConnect with Isa Kupke on LinkedIn Connect with Callie Celichowski on LinkedIn  Connect with Us: Follow the podcast for more insightful discussions on the latest in biotech and data science.Subscribe and leave a review if you enjoyed this episode!Connect with Ross Katz on LinkedIn Sponsored by… This episode is brought to you by CorrDyn, the leader in data-driven solutions for biotech and healthcare. Discover how CorrDyn is helping organizations turn data into breakthroughs at CorrDyn.

Sam Morgan, Director of Legal Solutions and Mark MacDonald, SVP of Business Development for EDRM Trusted Partner, HaystackID sit down with Mary Mack and Holley Robinson. In this episode, Sam and Mark were live from the 2025 Construction Super Conference in FL. The two shared insights into the unique challenges of those with construction related proprietary files, and partially repetitive items that can be key in a dispute like change orders. They explained how HaystackID has carefully implemented AI to assist moving through the volumes and variety of the data. Sam and Mark ended with their respective fun facts and ways to contact them. Sam and Mark were recently featured on an EDRM Workshop, Framing Construction Discovery's Future with AI-Powered Document Review, available here: https://event.on24.com/wcc/r/5076213/CF0B3883F0A874535280C41267635BB5.

As the Vice President, Global Head of Growth at Amazon's Audible, Bolong Li spearheads cross-functional teams dedicated to fostering sustained growth and enhancing customer experiences across diverse platforms.Before his tenure at Audible, Bolong accrued two years of experience at Apple, where he concentrated on Business Development and Retail Management. His career trajectory began in the financial industry, leveraging his educational background in finance from both undergraduate and graduate studies.Beyond his professional roles, Bolong contributes to academia by teaching business and marketing courses at Columbia University.

In this episode of the Global Investors Podcast, host Charles Carillo speaks with Luke Leins, SVP of Business Development at ResProp Management, about what truly drives success—or failure—in apartment property management. Drawing from experience managing over 23,000 multifamily units, Luke explains why property management is one of the most overlooked yet most critical drivers of NOI. The discussion covers multifamily property management strategy, third-party management, and how real estate operations directly impact investor returns. Luke breaks down common mistakes investors make, including unrealistic pro formas, payroll misrepresentation, and involving property managers too late in the acquisition process. He also shares practical guidance on property management due diligence, staffing and culture, and how to choose the right third-party property manager. This episode offers a clear, operator-level look at how apartment property management shapes long-term real estate performance.   Learn More About Luke Here: ResProp - https://www.respropmanagement.com/ Connect with the Global Investors Show, Charles Carillo and Harborside Partners: ◾ Setup a FREE 30 Minute Strategy Call with Charles: http://ScheduleCharles.com ◾ Learn How To Invest In Real Estate: https://www.SyndicationSuperstars.com/  ◾ FREE Passive Investing Guide: http://www.HSPguide.com ◾ Join Our Weekly Email Newsletter: http://www.HSPsignup.com ◾ Passively Invest in Real Estate: http://www.InvestHSP.com ◾ Global Investors Web Page: http://GlobalInvestorsPodcast.com/

Exit planning is often talked about in terms of numbers, valuation, and deal structure, but what happens when the real work starts with people, emotions, and a clear sense of what comes next?In this episode, Matt Di Francesco sits down with Hannah Chalker, a Certified Exit Planning Advisor and Certified Growth Value Advisor, to explore what truly drives successful business transitions. Hannah shares how her journey into the Exit Planning space began, why the discovery process is the foundation of every strong plan, and how she learned to see transition planning as both a strategic and deeply human process.Matt and Hannah also talk about:(04:13) Why increasing business value is a long-term process, not a short-term decision(05:06) How documenting SOPs ahead of time protects value in any transition(06:43) Why exit planning becomes emotional and requires a true leap of faith(09:43) How acting as a trusted partner helps owners gain confidence in their transition(11:00) Why helping owners grow value over time is the most rewarding part of the workConnect With Hannah ChalkerLinkedIn; https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannah-chalker/Connect With Matt DiFrancesco:matt@highliftfin.com(814)201-5855LinkedIn: Matt DiFrancescoLinkedIn: High Lift FinancialFacebook: High Lift Financial Instagram: @high_lift_financialYouTube: @highliftfinancialAbout the guest:Hannah Chalker helps business owners build stronger, more valuable companies through strategic financial and exit planning. As Director of Business Development and an Exit Planning Advisor at HighLift Financial, she works alongside Matt DiFrancesco to guide owners through value growth, transition planning, and long-term decision making. A Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA) and Certified Value Growth Advisor (CVGA), Hannah brings clarity, structure, and a steady hand to every stage of the journey, helping owners protect their legacy and confidently plan what comes next.Disclaimer:All information is obtained from sources deemed reliable, but not guaranteed. No tax or legal advice is given nor intended. Content provided herein or on our website should not be construed as an offer for investment advice or for securities, insurance, or other investment products. Investments involve the risk of loss and are not guaranteed. Consult a qualified legal, tax, accounting, or financial professional before implementing any investments or strategy discussed here.High Lift Financial is a DBA for DiFrancesco Financial Concierge, LLC.  Investment advisory services are provided through Cornerstone Planning Group, LLC, an independent advisory firm registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

This week, writer Paul Cornell discusses his latest release: The Mighty Avengers vs. the 1970s (1:10). Plus, Marvel VP of Business Development & Licensed Publishing Sven Larsen shares what he loves most about his job (10:32). Later on, we'll hear a holiday tale featuring Marvel's Spidey and His Amazing Friends. (19:01). All time codes are approximate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week at NSTA: The Bus Stop -Executive Director Curt Macysyn welcomes first-time guest Sam Fensterstock, Senior Vice President of Business Development at Cadex Insurance Recovery and a 2026 Midwinter Meeting Sponsor. Sam shares his background and path into the school transportation industry before outlining Cadex's specialized services, including a clear explanation of “Loss of Use” damages and why pursuing them after a not-at-fault accident is critical for school bus operators. Sam and Curt discuss how Cadex supports NSTA members through the Loss of Use recovery process. The duo cover Sam's favorite Charleston, South Carolina spots, and top Southern food picks within the city. The episode concludes with how listeners can learn more about Cadex Insurance Recovery. Become a podcast subscriber and don't miss an episode of NSTA: The Bus Stop- NSTA Vendor Partners can take advantage of our comprehensive advertising package that will help you reach your target audience - private school bus operators!Support the show

This week on the Becoming a Sleep Consultant podcast, I'm joined by Deb Pocica, a postpartum doula who added sleep consulting to her business and saw an immediate shift in the way she could support families.In this episode, we talk about:• Why sleep consulting is the perfect complement to postpartum care• How sustainable systems can prevent burnout for doulas and sleep consultants• What expanding your services can mean for both your income and your energyThe truth is, postpartum care often ends right when families need continued guidance the most. Sleep consulting fills that gap. It extends support beyond the newborn phase, strengthens relationships, and positions you as a long term resource instead of a short term solution.If you are a doula or newborn care specialist thinking about how to grow, diversify, or prevent burnout in your business… this episode will give you a lot to think about.Links:Website: https://www.debpocica.com/If you'd like to learn more about becoming a Sleep Consultant, please join our Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/becomeasleepconsultantCPSM website: https://thecpsm.com/Book a free discovery call to learn how you can become a Certified Sleep Consultant here: https://jaynehavens.as.me/CPSM-Inquiry

I started in the family manufacturing company in 1978 after being encouraged by my parents. Shortly after starting I began a formal, two years, machinist apprenticeship. I worked on the manual machines in the factory for about six years when my father tasked me with implementing CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machinery in our company. It was highly successful. For the next decade, I worked and managed the operations of the family business and segued into administrative roles; Procurement, Quoting, HR, Business Development, Sales, Marketing and PR. I literally learned the family business from the back door to the front door. After years of encouraging my father to create a business succession plan, we did, and in 2004 I became President and sole shareholder. Running a small business is challenging as we wear a lot of hats in our day to day. I kept pushing through those roadblocks; recessions, employees, customers, vendors and more and in 2007 we had our most profitable year. But as we all know the Great Recession came along – it hit us in the 4th quarter of 2008 – and we had to layoff 60% of our workforce. It was not pleasant and it was gut-wrenching to one by one tell my veteran employees, who I cared about there was no work for them. I vowed I would never let that happen again so made a decision to start working on the business rather than in it. I reached out to our long-term manufacturing association – the TMA and started learning about marketing and networking. It was out of my comfort zone but knew if I pushed myself the rewards would come and they did. I was encouraged to join committees, peer groups and attend industry-specific networking events around Chicago. I met like-minded people that ironically all shared the same pains and stories of my decades in the business. I became friends with these peers and created a small, personal Board of Directors with them, people that I could trust and could ask anything. It was and still is one of the most rewarding experiences in my business career. I found I had an innate ability and passion for marketing and suddenly found myself mingling with these professionals too. We would share our frustrations, successes and technologies with each other which helped me grow my personal and business brand – which I found out are together as one. As my networking evolved, I was asked to join the exclusive TMA Board of Directors and in my third year was voted by my peers to move into the executive chairs, culminating into Chairman, the highest Board level position. I was humbled and accepted. Through this networking platform, I was presented with an opportunity to be interviewed on a local Chicago AM radio station and share my marketing savvy and wisdom with their audience about how I was using social media to brand my manufacturing company – nobody was doing it at that time. Also at my interview was Jason Zenger, the President of Zenger's Industrial Supply. My company was a premier vendor who was buying industrial cutting tools from his business for years. We had never met but knew of each other. Jason was there to add to the discussion about what he was doing differently as a third-generation business owner at his company. We hit it off. Shortly after our interview aired he called me to ask if I had heard of or listened to podcasts. I said yes, I knew of that media but was not actively listening. Jason said, “I think we have a deep knowledge of our industry, we are not competitors, are highly connected to the community, have a commanding presence and no one relevant in our industry was in that space.” Suddenly a light bulb in my head went off – that a-ha moment – I had felt that feeling when I started using social. I wanted to be the trailblazer and this seemed like a fairly low-risk proposition. I agreed. The only caveat was I would only do it if it was well structured, thought out and quality was the overwhelming key. We planned for a year doing research on the average American commute, joined online podcast communities to learn tips on what other successful podcasters were doing, hired professional voice talent and sound editors and at the onset of 2015 released our first show. It was immediately well-received and in two weeks we were on the iTunes New & Noteworthy List of Podcasts. A few major trade publications did some articles on us and of course, we used our social media savvy to target our audience. We were on our way. What we didn't realize is that although our mission was to equip and inspire manufacturing leaders, with the hope that we could garner some thought leadership and interest in our respective manufacturing companies, major brands that sold to our audience started to notice us and inquired about advertising on our show. We were excited but didn't know how to react. This was strictly a grassroots project and neither of us knew much about this space. Of course, we accepted and the rest is history. We are new an income-producing, bona fide brand, that is known among our community and we have lucrative contracts with some of the largest players in our industry. The next step. We are definitely busy people, me running my manufacturing company, conducting interviews and shows with Jason and to retain the level of networking that helped me grow into what I am today. It's not easy but as my father always used to tell me: “Jim, if it was easy, everybody would be doing it”. He couldn't be more right.

In this episode of Hustle Inspires Hustle, Alex Quin sits down with Brandon Travin, Director of Sales and Partnerships at Resident.com, a legacy luxury lifestyle publication founded by his father in 1988. Brandon shares how he helped transform the brand from a print-focused magazine into a modern, digitally dominant media company with a domain authority of 70. They discuss the power of SEO, personalized brand partnerships, email marketing, luxury events, and leveraging AI in content. Brandon emphasizes the value of storytelling, long-term relationships, and meeting clients where they are. The episode also highlights the importance of combining tradition with innovation while staying true to brand values in the fast-evolving luxury media space.Episode Outline:[00:00:00] Intro and welcome[00:01:30] Brandon's background and Resident.com origin story[00:05:45] From local paper to global luxury publication[00:09:10] Family legacy and media industry roots[00:12:00] Brandon's digital transformation strategy[00:16:50] Growing Resident.com's domain authority to 70[00:19:20] Balancing print and digital[00:22:00] Focus on travel, real estate, fashion, dining[00:25:45] Brand activations, events, and client strategies[00:29:30] High-profile covers, celebrity features[00:32:10] The power of storytelling in luxury branding[00:36:15] Leveraging AI and multilingual content[00:41:30] Sales wins and in-person dealmaking[00:43:45] Brandon's values and how he wants to be rememberedWisdom Nuggets:Legacy Can Fuel Innovation: Brandon Travin didn't just inherit a company—he brought it into the digital age, using Resident.com's trusted legacy as a launchpad for tech-driven growth.SEO is a Long Game: Achieving a domain authority of 70 in under three years came from consistency, content upgrades, and leveraging the strength of the Resident.com domain.Print Still Has Power, But Digital Scales: Print remains a high-touch brand tool, while Resident.com drives scalable traffic and conversion—showing how modern media needs both.Sell With Purpose, Not Pressure: Brandon highlights that listening deeply to client goals and customizing media plans around their KPIs builds trust and long-term wins.Meet Clients Where They Are: From targeted email campaigns to luxury events and global SEO visibility, Resident.com's success lies in reaching audiences across every relevant channel.Power Quotes“It doesn't always have to be money—you don't always need to make something out of the relationship.” - Alex Quin “Luxury is personal. You gotta meet clients in person.” - Brandon Travin “I want Resident.com to be the go-to for luxury in every major city.”Connect with Brandon:Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/brandon.travin)Linkedin: (linkedin.com/in/brandontravin)Resident Magazine Website (https://resident.com/)Connect With the Podcast Host Alex Quin:Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/alexquin)Twitter: (https://twitter.com/mralexquin)LinkedIn: (https://www.linkedin.com/in/mralexquin)Website: (https://alexquin.com)TikTok: (https://www.tiktok.com/@mralexquin)Our CommunityInstagram: (https://www.instagram.com/hustleinspireshustle)Twitter: (https://twitter.com/HustleInspires)LinkedIn: (https://www.linkedin.com/company/hustle-inspires-hustle)Website: (https://hustleinspireshustle.com)*This page may contain affiliate links or sponsored content. When you click on these links or engage with the sponsored content and make a purchase or take some other action, we may receive a commission or compensation at no additional cost to you. We only promote products or services that we genuinely believe will add value to our readers & listeners.*See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Strong systems can work wonders for your business—turning daily chaos into calm, improving consistency, and freeing up time for growth. In this episode of the Child Care Genius Podcast, CCG COO Sindye Alexander steps in as guest host for a powerful conversation with Faith Yocum, owner of Six Little Ducks Childcare Centers in Buffalo, NY, and Vice President of Coaching and Business Development at Child Care Genius. Together, they dive deep into how smart systems, solid processes, and clear expectations can help your center run more efficiently and operate smoothly—even when you're not there.   Listen in as Faith shares her journey from manufacturing management to child care owner, and how discovering the right coaching support helped her scale her centers and build a business that practically runs itself. She and Sindye explore how to create SOPs that actually work—where to start, what to include, and simple ways to make them part of your everyday operations.   You'll also hear how to use staff input to refine processes, stay inspection-ready with a compliance calendar, and set brand standards families can rely on. The discussion goes beyond theory, with real-life examples, time-saving ideas, and creative ways to use AI to draft procedures while keeping that all-important human touch.   If SOPs and compliance have ever felt overwhelming, this episode will help you get started with clarity and confidence. Tune in for practical steps, plenty of encouragement, and an open invitation to connect with the Child Care Genius team for a free discovery call to explore how coaching can help your center thrive.   To Contact Faith Yocum: Faith@childcaregenius.com   Mentioned in this episode: GET TICKETS to the Child Care Genius LEGACY Conference:  https://childcaregenius.com/legacyconference/   Need help with your child care marketing? Reach out! At Child Care Genius Marketing we offer website development, hosting, and security, Google Ads creation and management, done for you social media content and ads management. If you'd rather do it yourself, we also have the Genius Box, which is a monthly subscription chock full of social media & blog content, as well as a new monthly lead magnet every month! Learn more at Child Care Genius Marketing. https://childcaregenius.com/marketing-solutions/  Schedule a no obligation call to learn more about how we can partner together to ignite your marketing efforts.   If you need help in your child care business, consider joining our coaching programs at Child Care Genius University. Learn More Here. https://childcaregenius.com/university     Connect with us:  Child Care Genius Website Like us on Facebook Join our Owners Only Private Mastermind Group on Facebook    Join our Child Care Mindset Facebook Group Follow Us on Instagram Connect with us on LinkedIn Subscribe to our YouTube Channel Buy our Books Check out our Free Resources

While it is not always referred to as a "1099 model", there is a type of RIA platform offering that many advisors find to be an attractive alternative to running their own RIA.These "1099 models" come in various flavors but they typically share the following (among other things):Retain 100% ownership of your practice;Use your own brand;Control your local expenses;Access a suite of technology and solution provider resources;If applicable, provide solutions for your remaining legacy commission assets; etc.If considering starting your own RIA, it's worthwhile understanding how these models compare.In this episode (#138) of the Transition To RIA question & answer series I explain what these models are and why they're worth considering for your practice.Come take a listen!P.S. Prefer video? You can find this entire series in video format on Youtube. Search for the TRANSITION TO RIA channel.Show notes: https://TransitionToRIA.com/what-is-a-1099-ria-model/About Host: Brad Wales is the founder of Transition To RIA, where he helps financial advisors between $50M and $1B understand everything there is to know about WHY and HOW to transition their practice to the Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) model. Brad has 20+ years of industry experience, including direct RIA related roles in Compliance, Finance and Business Development. He has an MBA and has held the 4, 7, 24, 63 & 65 licenses. The Transition To RIA website (TransitionToRIA.com) has a large catalog of free videos, articles, whitepapers, as well as other resources to help advisors understand the RIA model and how it would apply to their unique circumstances.

In this episode, Sonia Alleyne interviews Joel Boissier, the VP of Business Development and Partnerships at CHIP, a fintech platform designed to connect individuals with financial professionals. Joel shares his background as a financial advisor and discusses the importance of accessible financial advice, especially for communities of color. The conversation covers how CHIP operates, the significance of finding the right financial advisor, and the resources available through the platform. Joel emphasizes the need for financial education and the role of CHIP in fostering financial literacy and support for both individuals and small businesses. In this episode of the Business First Podcast, host Sonia Alleyne sits down with Joel Boissier, Vice President of Business Development and Partnerships at CHIP, a fintech platform focused on connecting individuals and small businesses with trusted financial professionals. Joel shares his background as a financial advisor and explains how that experience shaped his mission to make quality financial guidance more accessible—particularly for communities of color that have historically been underserved by traditional financial institutions. The conversation breaks down how CHIP works, why finding the right financial advisor matters, and how personalized financial support can lead to stronger long-term outcomes. This episode also explores the importance of financial education, building confidence around money decisions, and the role technology can play in closing knowledge and access gaps. Joel highlights the tools and resources CHIP offers to empower individuals and entrepreneurs to take control of their financial futures.

How can you be more relaxed about your writing process? What are some specific ways to take the pressure off your art and help you enjoy the creative journey? With Joanna Penn and Mark Leslie Lefebvre. In the intro, Spotify 2025 audiobook trends; Audible + BookTok; NonFiction Authors Guide to SubStack; OpenAI and Disney agreement on Sora; India AI licensing; Business for Authors January webinars; Mark and Jo over the years Mark Leslie LeFebvre is the author of horror and paranormal fiction, as well as nonfiction books for authors. He's also an editor, professional speaker, and the Director of Business Development at Draft2Digital. Joanna Penn writes non-fiction for authors and is an award-winning, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of thrillers, dark fantasy, and memoir as J.F. Penn. She's also an award-winning podcaster, creative entrepreneur, and international professional speaker. Mark and Jo co-wrote The Relaxed Author in 2021. You can listen to us talk about the process here. You can listen above or on your favorite podcast app or read the notes and links below. Here are the highlights, and the full transcript is below. Show Notes Why the ‘relaxed' author Write what you love Write at your own pace Write in a series (if you want to) Schedule time to fill the creative well and for rest and relaxation Improve your writing process — but only if it fits with your lifestyle You can find The Relaxed Author: Take the Pressure Off Your Art and Enjoy the Creative Journey on CreativePennBooks.com as well as on your favorite online store or audiobook platform, or order in your library or bookstore. You can find Mark Leslie Lefebvre and his books and podcast at Stark Reflections.ca Why the ‘relaxed' author? Joanna: The definition of relaxed is “free from tension and anxiety,” from the Latin laxus, meaning loose, and to be honest, I am not a relaxed or laid-back person in the broader sense. Back in my teens, my nickname at school was Highly Stressed. I'm a Type A personality, driven by deadlines and achieving goals. I love to work and I burned out multiple times in my previous career as an IT consultant. If we go away on a trip, I pack the schedule with back-to-back cultural things like museums and art galleries to help my book research. Or we go on adventure holidays with a clear goal, like cycling down the South-West coast of India. I can't even go for a long walk without training for another ultra-marathon! So I am not a relaxed person — but I am a relaxed author. If I wanted to spend most of my time doing something that made me miserable, I would go back to my old day job in consulting. I was paid well and worked fewer hours overall. But I measure my life by what I create, and if I am not working on a creative project, I am not able to truly relax in my downtime. There are always more things I want to learn and write about, always more stories to be told and knowledge to share. I don't want to kill my writing life by over-stressing or burning out as an author. I write what I love and follow my Muse into projects that feel right. I know how to publish and market books well enough to reach readers and make some money. I have many different income streams through my books, podcast and website. Of course, I still have my creative and business challenges as well as mindset issues, just like any writer. That never goes away. But after a decade as a full-time author entrepreneur, I have a mature creative business and I've relaxed into the way I do things. I love to write, but I also want a full and happy, healthy life. I'm still learning and improving as the industry shifts — and I change, too. I still have ambitious creative and financial goals, but I am going about them in a more relaxed way and in this book, I'll share some of my experiences and tips in the hope that you can discover your relaxed path, too. Mark: One of the most fundamental things you can do in your writing life is look at how you want to spend your time. I think back to the concept of: ‘You're often a reflection of the people you spend the most time with.' Therefore, typically, your best friend, or perhaps your partner, is often a person you love spending time with. Because there's something inherently special about spending time with this person who resonates in a meaningful way, and you feel more yourself because you're with them. In many ways, writing, or the path that you are on as a writer, is almost like being on a journey with an invisible partner. You are you. But you are also the writer you. And there's the two of you traveling down the road of life together. And so that same question arises. What kind of writer-self do you want to spend all your time with? Do you want to spend all your time with a partner that is constantly stressed out or constantly trying to reach deadlines based on somebody else's prescription of what success is? Or would you rather spend time with a partner who pauses to take a contemplative look at your own life, your own comfort, your own passion and the things that you are willing to commit to? Someone who allows that all to happen in a way that feels natural and comfortable to you. I'm a fan of the latter, of course, because then you can focus on the things you're passionate about and the things you're hopeful about rather than the things you're fearful about and those that bring anxiety and stress into your life. To me, that's part of being a relaxed author. That underlying acceptance before you start to plan things out. If the writing life is a marathon, not a sprint, then pacing, not rushing, may be the key. We have both seen burnout in the author community. People who have pushed themselves too hard and just couldn't keep up with the impossible pace they set for themselves. At times, indie authors would wear that stress, that anxiety, that rush to produce more and more, as a badge of honor. It's fine to be proud of the hard work that you do. It's fine to be proud of pushing yourself to always do better, and be better. But when you push too far — beyond your limits — you can ultimately do yourself more harm than good. Everyone has their own unique pace—something that they are comfortable with—and one key is to experiment until you find that pace, and you can settle in for the long run. There's no looking over your shoulder at the other writers. There's no panicking about the ones outpacing you. You're in this with yourself. And, of course, with those readers who are anticipating those clearly communicated milestones of your releases. I think that what we both want for authors is to see them reaching those milestones at their own paces, in their own comfort, delighting in the fact their readers are there cheering them on. Because we'll be silently cheering them along as well, knowing that they've set a pace, making relaxed author lifestyle choices, that will benefit them in the long run. “I'm glad you're writing this book. I know I'm not the only author who wants peace, moments of joy, and to enjoy the journey. Indie publishing is a luxury that I remember not having, I don't want to lose my sense of gratitude.” —Anonymous author from our survey Write what you love Joanna: The pandemic has taught us that life really is short. Memento mori — remember, you will die. What is the point of spending precious time writing books you don't want to write? If we only have a limited amount of time and only have a limited number of books that we can write in a lifetime, then we need to choose to write the books that we love. If I wanted a job doing something I don't enjoy, then I would have remained in my stressful old career as an IT consultant — when I certainly wasn't relaxed! Taking that further, if you try to write things you don't love, then you're going to have to read what you don't love as well, which will take more time. I love writing thrillers because that's what I love to read. Back when I was miserable in my day job, I would go to the bookstore at lunchtime and buy thrillers. I would read them on the train to and from work and during the lunch break. Anything for a few minutes of escape. That's the same feeling I try to give my readers now. I know the genre inside and out. If I had to write something else, I would have to read and learn that other genre and spend time doing things I don't love. In fact, I don't even know how you can read things you don't enjoy. I only give books a few pages and if they don't resonate, I stop reading. Life really is too short. You also need to run your own race and travel your own journey. If you try to write in a genre you are not immersed in, you will always be looking sideways at what other authors are doing, and that can cause comparisonitis — when you compare yourself to others, most often in an unfavorable way. Definitely not relaxing! Writing something you love has many intrinsic rewards other than sales. Writing is a career for many of us, but it's a passion first, and you don't want to feel like you've wasted your time on words you don't care about. “Write what you know” is terrible advice for a long-term career as at some point, you will run out of what you know. It should be “write what you want to learn about.” When I want to learn about a topic, I write a book on it because that feeds my curiosity and I love book research, it's how I enjoy spending my time, especially when I travel, which is also part of how I relax. If you write what you love and make it part of your lifestyle, you will be a far more relaxed author. Mark: It's common that writers are drawn into storytelling from some combination of passion, curiosity, and unrelenting interest. We probably read or saw something that inspired us, and we wanted to express those ideas or the resulting perspectives that percolated in our hearts and minds. Or we read something and thought, “Wow, I could do this; but I would have come at it differently or I would approach the situation or subject matter with my own flair.” So, we get into writing with passion and desire for storytelling. And then sometimes along the way, we recognize the critical value of having to become an entrepreneur, to understand the business of writing and publishing. And part of understanding that aspect of being an author is writing to market, and understanding shifts and trends in the industry, and adjusting to those ebbs and flows of the tide. But sometimes, we lose sight of the passion that drew us to writing in the first place. And so, writing the things that you love can be a beacon to keep you on course. I love the concept of “Do something that you love, and you'll never work a day in your life.” And that's true in some regard because I've always felt that way for almost my entire adult life. I've been very lucky. But at the same time, I work extremely hard at what I love. Some days are harder than others, and some things are really difficult, frustrating and challenging; but at the end of the day, I have the feeling of satisfaction that I spent my time doing something I believe in. I've been a bookseller my entire life even though I don't sell books in brick-and-mortar bookstores anymore—that act of physically putting books in people's hands. But to this day, what I do is virtually putting books in people's hands, both as an author and as an industry representative who is passionate about the book business. I was drawn to that world via my passion for writing. And that's what continues to compel me forward. I tried to leave the corporate world to write full time in 2018 but realized there was an intrinsic satisfaction to working in that realm, to embracing and sharing my insights and knowledge from that arena to help other writers. And I couldn't give that up. For me, the whole core, the whole essence of why I get up in the morning has to do with storytelling, creative inspiration, and wanting to inspire and inform other people to be the best that they can be in the business of writing and publishing. And that's what keeps me going when the days are hard. Passion as the inspiration to keep going There are always going to be days that aren't easy. There will be unexpected barriers that hit you as a writer. You'll face that mid-novel slump or realize that you have to scrap an entire scene or even plotline, and feel like going back and re-starting is just too much. You might find the research required to be overwhelming or too difficult. There'll be days when the words don't flow, or the inspiration that initially struck you seems to have abandoned you for greener pastures. Whatever it is, some unexpected frustration can create what can appear to be an insurmountable block. And, when that happens, if it's a project you don't love, you're more likely to let those barriers get in your way and stop you. But if it's a project that you're passionate about, and you're writing what you love, that alone can be what greases the wheels and helps reduce that friction to keep you going. At the end of the day, writing what you love can be a honing, grounding, and centering beacon that allows you to want to wake up in the morning and enjoy the process as much as possible even when the hard work comes along. “For me, relaxation comes from writing what I know and love and trusting the emergent process. As a discovery writer, I experience great joy when the story, characters and dialogue simply emerge in their own time and their own way. It feels wonderful.” — Valerie Andrews “Writing makes me a relaxed author. Just getting lost in a story of my own creation, discovering new places and learning what makes my characters tick is the best way I know of relaxing. Even the tricky parts, when I have no idea where I am going next, have a special kind of charm.” – Imogen Clark Write at your own pace Mark: Writing at your own pace will help you be a more relaxed author because you're not stressing out by trying to keep up with someone else. Of course, we all struggle with comparing ourselves to others. Take a quick look around and you can always find someone who has written more books than you. Nora Roberts, traditionally published author, writes a book a month. Lindsey Buroker, fantasy indie author, writes a book a month of over 100,000 words. If you compare yourself to someone else and you try to write at their pace, that is not going to be your relaxed schedule. On the other hand, if you compare yourself to Donna Tartt, who writes one book every decade, you might feel like some speed-demon crushing that word count and mastering rapid release. Looking at what others are doing could result in you thinking you're really slow or you could think that you're super-fast. What does that kind of comparison actually get you? I remember going to see a talk by Canadian literary author Farley Mowat when I was a young budding writer. I'll never forget one thing he said from that stage: “Any book that takes you less than four years to write is not a real book.” Young teenage Mark was devastated, hurt and disappointed to hear him say that because my favorite author at the time, Piers Anthony, was writing and publishing two to three novels a year. I loved his stuff, and his fantasy and science fiction had been an important inspiration in my writing at that time. (The personal notes I add to the end of my stories and novels came from enjoying his so much). That focus on there being only a single way, a single pace to write, ended up preventing me from enjoying the books I had already been loving because I was doing that comparisonitis Joanna talks about, but as a reader. I took someone else's perspective too much to heart and I let that ruin a good thing that had brought me personal joy and pleasure. It works the same way as a writer. Because we have likely developed a pattern, or a way that works for us that is our own. We all have a pace that we comfortably walk; a way we prefer to drive. A pattern or style of how and when and what we prefer to eat. We all have our own unique comfort food. There are these patterns that we're comfortable with, and potentially because they are natural to us. If you try to force yourself to write at a pace that's not natural to you, things can go south in your writing and your mental health. And I'm not suggesting any particular pace, except for the one that's most natural and comfortable to you. If writing fast is something that you're passionate about, and you're good at it, and it's something you naturally do, why would you stop yourself from doing that? Just like if you're a slow writer and you're trying to write fast: why are you doing that to yourself? There's a common pop song line used by numerous bands over the years that exhorts you to “shake what you got.” I like to think the same thing applies here. And do it with pride and conviction. Because what you got is unique and awesome. Own it, and shake it with pride. You have a way you write and a word count per writing session that works for you. And along with that, you likely know what time you can assign to writing because of other commitments like family time, leisure time, and work (assuming you're not a full-time writer). Simple math can provide you with a way to determine how long it will take to get your first draft written. So, your path and plans are clear. And you simply take the approach that aligns with your writer DNA. Understanding what that pace is for you helps alleviate an incredible amount of stress that you do not need to thrust upon yourself. Because if you're not going to be able to enjoy it while you're doing it, what's the point? Your pace might change project to project While your pace can change over time, your pace can also change project to project. And sometimes the time actually spent writing can be a smaller portion of the larger work involved. I was on a panel at a conference once and someone asked me how long it took to write my non-fiction book of ghost stories, Haunted Hamilton. “About four days,” I responded. And while that's true — I crafted the first draft over four long and exhausting days writing as much as sixteen hours each day — the reality was I had been doing research for months. But the pen didn't actually hit the paper until just a few days before my deadline to turn the book over to my editor. That was for a non-fiction book; but I've found I do similar things with fiction. I noodle over concepts and ideas for months before I actually commit words to the page. The reason this comes to mind is that I think it's important to recognize the way that I write is I first spend a lot of time in my head to understand and chew on things. And then by the time it comes to actually getting the words onto the paper, I've already done much of the pre-writing mentally. It's sometimes not fair when you're comparing yourself to someone else to look at how long they physically spend in front of a keyboard hammering on that word count, because they might have spent a significantly longer amount of a longer time either outlining or conceptualizing the story in their mind or in their heart before they sat down to write. So that's part of the pace, too. Because sometimes, if we only look at the time spent at the ‘writer's desk,' we fool ourselves when we think that we're a slow writer or a fast writer. Joanna: Your pace will change over your career My first novel took 14 months and now I can write a first draft in about six weeks because I have more experience. It's also more relaxing for me to write a book now than it was in the beginning, because I didn't know what I was doing back then. Your pace will change per project I have a non-fiction work in progress, my Shadow Book (working title), which I have started several times. I have about 30,000 words but as I write this, I have backed away from it because I'm (still) not ready. There's a lot more research and thinking I need to do. Similarly, some people take years writing a memoir or a book with such emotional or personal depth that it needs more to bring it to life. Your pace will also shift depending on where you are in the arc of life Perhaps you have young kids right now, or you have a health issue, or you're caring for someone who is ill. Perhaps you have a demanding day job so you have less time to write. Perhaps you really need extended time away from writing, or just a holiday. Or maybe there's a global pandemic and frankly, you're too stressed to write! The key to pacing in a book is variability — and that's true of life, too. Write at the pace that works for you and don't be afraid to change it as you need to over time. “I think the biggest thing for me is reminding myself that I'm in this to write. Sometimes I can get caught up in all the moving pieces of editing and publishing and marketing, but the longer I go without writing, or only writing because I have to get the next thing done instead of for enjoyment, the more stressed and anxious I become. But if I make time to fit in what I truly love, which is the process of writing without putting pressure on myself to meet a deadline, or to be perfect, or to meet somebody else's expectations — that's when I become truly relaxed.” – Ariele Sieling Write in a series (if you want to) Joanna: I have some stand-alone books but most of them are in series, both for non-fiction and for my fiction as J.F. Penn. It's how I like to read and write. As we draft this book, I'm also writing book 12 in my ARKANE series, Tomb of Relics. It's relaxing because I know my characters, I know my world; I know the structure of how an ARKANE story goes. I know what to put in it to please my readers. I have already done the work to set up the series world and the main characters and now all I need is a plot and an antagonist. It's also quicker to write and edit because I've done it before. Of course, you need to put in the work initially so the series comes together, but once you've set that all up, each subsequent book is easier. You can also be more relaxed because you already have an audience who will (hopefully) buy the book because they bought the others. You will know approximately how many sales you'll get on launch and there will be people ready to review. Writing in a non-fiction series is also a really good idea because you know your audience and you can offer them more books, products and services that will help them within a niche. While they might not be sequential, they should be around the same topic, for example, this is part of my Books for Authors series. Financially, it makes sense to have a series as you will earn more revenue per customer as they will (hopefully) buy more than one book. It's also easier and more relaxing to market as you can set one book to free or a limited time discount and drive sales through to other books in the series. Essentially, writing a book in a series makes it easier to fulfill both creative and financial goals. However, if you love to read and write stand-alone books, and some genres suit stand-alones better than series anyway, then, of course, go with what works for you! Mark: I like to equate this to no matter where you travel in the world, if you find a McDonald's you pretty much know what's on the menu and you know what to expect. When you write in a series, it's like returning to hang out with old friends. You know their backstory; you know their history so you can easily fall into a new conversation about something and not have to get caught up on understanding what you have in common. So that's an enormous benefit of relaxing into something like, “Oh, I'm sitting down over coffee, chatting with some old friends. They're telling me a new story about something that happened to them. I know who they are, I know what they're made out of.” And this new plot, this new situation, they may have new goals, they may have new ways they're going to grow as characters, but they're still the same people that we know and love. And that's a huge benefit that I only discovered recently because I'm only right now working on book four in my Canadian Werewolf series. Prior to that, I had three different novels that were all the first book in a series with no book two. And it was stressful for me. Writing anything seemed to take forever. I was causing myself anxiety by jumping around and writing new works as opposed to realizing I could go visit a locale I'm familiar and comfortable with. And I can see new things in the same locale just like sometimes you can see new things and people you know and love already, especially when you introduce something new into the world and you see how they react to it. For me, there's nothing more wonderful than that sort of homecoming. It's like a nostalgic feeling when you do that. I've seen a repeated pattern where writers spend years writing their first book. I started A Canadian Werewolf in New York in 2006 and I did not publish it until ten years later, after finishing it in 2015. (FYI, that wasn't my first novel. I had written three and published one of them prior to that). That first novel can take so long because you're learning. You're learning about your characters, about the craft, about the practice of writing, about the processes that you're testing along the way. And if you are working on your first book and it's taking longer than planned, please don't beat yourself up for that. It's a process. Sometimes that process takes more time. I sometimes wonder if this is related to our perception of time as we age. When you're 10 years old, a day compared to your lifetime is a significant amount of time, and thinking about a year later is considering a time that is one-tenth of your life. When you have a few more decades or more under your belt, that year is a smaller part of the whole. If you're 30, a year is only one-thirtieth of your life. A much smaller piece. Just having written more books, particularly in a series, removes the pressure of that one book to represent all of you as a writer. I had initial anxiety at writing the second book in my Canadian Werewolf series. Book two was more terrifying in some ways than book one because finally, after all this time, I had something good that I didn't want to ruin. Should I leave well enough alone? But I was asked to write a short story to a theme in an anthology, and using my main character from that first novel allowed me to discover I could have fun spending more time with these characters and this world. And I also realized that people wanted to read more about these characters. I didn't just want to write about them, but other people wanted to read about them too. And that makes the process so much easier to keep going with them. So one of the other benefits that helps to relax me as a writer working on a series is I have a better understanding of who my audience is, and who my readers are, and who will want this, and who will appreciate it. So I know what worked, I know what resonated with them, and I know I can give them that next thing. I have discovered that writing in a series is a far more relaxed way of understanding your target audience better. Because it's not just a single shot in the dark, it's a consistent on-going stream. Let me reflect on a bit of a caveat, because I'm not suggesting sticking to only a single series or universe. As writers, we have plenty of ideas and inspirations, and it's okay to embrace some of the other ones that come to us. When I think about the Canadian rock trio, Rush, a band that produced 19 studio albums and toured for 40 years, I acknowledge a very consistent band over the decades. And yet, they weren't the same band that they were when they started playing together, even though it was the same three guys since Neil Peart joined Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson. They changed what they wrote about, what they sang about, themes, styles, approaches to making music, all of this. They adapted and changed their style at least a dozen times over the course of their career. No album was exactly like the previous album, and they experimented, and they tried things. But there was a consistency of the audience that went along with them. And as writers, we can potentially have that same thing where we know there are going to be people who will follow us. Think about Stephen King, a writer who has been writing in many different subjects and genres. And yet there's a core group of people who will enjoy everything he writes, and he has that Constant Reader he always keeps in mind. And so, when we write in a series, we're thinking about that constant reader in a more relaxed way because that constant reader, like our characters, like our worlds, like our universes, is like we're just returning to a comfortable, cozy spot where we're just going to hang out with some good friends for a bit. Or, as the contemplative Rush song Time Stand Still expresses, the simple comfort and desire of spending some quality time having a drink with a friend. Schedule time to fill the creative well and for rest and relaxation Mark: What we do as writers is quite cerebral, so we need to give ourselves mental breaks in the same way we need to sleep regularly. Our bodies require sleep. And it's not just physical rest for our bodies to regenerate, it's for our minds to regenerate. We need that to stay sane, to stay alive, to stay healthy. The reality for us as creatives is that we're writing all the time, whether or not we're in front of a keyboard or have a pen in our hand. We're always writing, continually sucking the marrow from the things that are happening around us, even when we're not consciously aware of it. And sometimes when we are more consciously aware of it, that awareness can feel forced. It can feel stressful. When you give yourself the time to just let go, to just relax, wonderful things can happen. And they can come naturally, never feeling that urgent sense of pressure. Downtime, for me, is making space for those magic moments to happen. I was recently listening to Episode 556 of The Creative Penn podcast where Joanna talked about the serendipity of those moments when you're traveling and you're going to a museum and you see something. And you're not consciously there to research for a book, but you see something that just makes a connection for you. And you would not have had that for your writing had you not given yourself the time to just be doing and enjoying something else. And so, whenever I need to resolve an issue or a problem in a project I'm writing, which can cause stress, I will do other things. I will go for a run or walk the dogs, wash the dishes or clean the house. Or I'll put on some music and sing and dance like nobody is watching or listening—and thank goodness for that, because that might cause them needless anxiety. The key is, I will do something different that allows my mind to just let go. And somewhere in the subconscious, usually the answer comes to me. Those non-cerebral activities can be very restorative. Yesterday, my partner Liz and I met her daughter at the park. And while we quietly waited, the two of us wordlessly enjoyed the sights and sounds of people walking by, the river in the background, the wind blowing through the leaves in the trees above us. That moment wasn't a purposeful, “Hey, we're going to chill and relax.” But we found about five minutes of restorative calm in the day. A brief, but powerful ‘Ah' moment. And when I got back to writing this morning, I drew upon some of the imagery from those few minutes. I didn't realize at the time I was experiencing the moment yesterday that I was going to incorporate some of that imagery in today's writing session. And that's the serendipity that just flows very naturally in those scheduled and even unscheduled moments of relaxation. Joanna: I separate this into two aspects because I'm good at one and terrible at the other! I schedule time to fill the creative well as often as possible. This is something that Julia Cameron advises in The Artist's Way, and I find it an essential part of my creative practice. Essentially, you can't create from an empty mind. You have to actively seek out ways to spark ideas. International travel is a huge part of my fiction inspiration, in particular. This has been impossible during the pandemic and has definitely impacted my writing. I also go to exhibitions and art galleries, as well as read books, watch films and documentaries. If I don't fill my creative well, then I feel empty, like I will never have another idea, that perhaps my writing life is over. Some people call that writer's block but I know that feeling now. It just means I haven't filled my creative well and I need to schedule time to do that so I can create again. Consume and produce. That's the balance you need in order to keep the creative well filled and the words flowing. In terms of scheduling time to relax instead of doing book research, I find this difficult because I love to work. My husband says that I'm like a little sports car that goes really, really fast and doesn't stop until it hits a wall. I operate at a high productivity level and then I crash! But the restrictions of the pandemic have helped me learn more about relaxation, after much initial frustration. I have walked in nature and lain in the garden in the hammock and recently, we went to the seaside for the first time in 18 months. I lay on the stones and watched the waves. I was the most relaxed I've been in a long time. I didn't look at my phone. I wasn't listening to a podcast or an audiobook. We weren't talking. We were just being there in nature and relaxing. Authors are always thinking and feeling because everything feeds our work somehow. But we have to have both aspects — active time to fill the creative well and passive time to rest and relax. “I go for lots of walks and hikes in the woods. These help me work out the kinks in my plots, and also to feel more relaxed! (Exercise is an added benefit!)” –T.W. Piperbrook Improve your writing process — but only if it fits with your lifestyle Joanna: A lot of stress can occur in writing if we try to change or improve our process too far beyond our natural way of doing things. For example, trying to be a detailed plotter with a spreadsheet when you're really a discovery writer, or trying to dictate 5,000 words per hour when you find it easier to hand write slowly into a journal. Productivity tips from other writers can really help you tweak your personal process, but only if they work for you — and I say this as someone who has a book on Productivity for Authors! Of course, it's a good idea to improve things, but once you try something, analyze whether it works for you — either with data or just how you feel. If it works, great. Adopt it into your process. If it doesn't work, then discard it. For example, I wrote my first novel in Microsoft Word. When I discovered Scrivener, I changed my process and never looked back because it made my life so much easier. I don't write in order and Scrivener made it easier to move things around. I also discovered that it was easier for me to get into my first draft writing and creating when I was away from the desk I use for business, podcasting, and marketing tasks. I started to write in a local cafe and later on in a co-working space. During the pandemic lockdown, I used specific playlists to create a form of separation as I couldn't physically go somewhere else. Editing is an important part of the writing process but you have to find what works for you, which will also change over time. Some are authors are more relaxed with a messy first draft, then rounds of rewrites while working with multiple editors. Others do one careful draft and then use a proofreader to check the finished book. There are as many ways to write as there are writers. A relaxed author chooses the process that works in the most effective way for them and makes the book the best it can be. Mark: When it comes to process, there are times when you're doing something that feels natural, versus times when you're learning a new skill. Consciously and purposefully learning new skills can be stressful; particularly because it's something we often put so much emphasis or importance upon. But when you adapt on-going learning as a normal part of your life, a natural part of who and what you are, that stress can flow away. I'm always about learning new skills; but over time I've learned how to absorb learning into my everyday processes. I'm a pantser, or discovery writer, or whatever term we can apply that makes us feel better about it. And every time I've tried to stringently outline a book, it has been a stressful experience and I've not been satisfied with the process or the result. Perhaps I satisfied the part of me that thought I wanted to be more like other writers, but I didn't satisfy the creative person in me. I was denying that flow that has worked for me. I did, of course, naturally introduce a few new learnings into my attempts to outline; so I stuck with those elements that worked, and abandoned the elements that weren't working, or were causing me stress. The thought of self-improvement often comes with images of blood, sweat, and tears. It doesn't have to. You don't have to bleed to do this; it can be something that you do at your own pace. You can do it in a way that you're comfortable with so it's causing you no stress, but allowing you to learn and grow and improve. And if it doesn't work but you force yourself to keep doing it because a famous writer or a six-figure author said, “this is the way to do it,” you create pressure. And when you don't do it that way, you can think of yourself as a failure as opposed to thinking of it as, “No, this is just the way that I do things.” When you accept how you do things, if they result in effectively getting things done and feeling good about it at the same time, you have less resistance, you have less friction, you have less tension. Constantly learning, adapting, and evolving is good. But forcing ourselves to try to be or do something that we are not or that doesn't work for us, that causes needless anxiety. “I think a large part of it comes down to reminding myself WHY I write. This can mean looking back at positive reviews, so I can see how much joy others get from my writing, or even just writing something brand new for the sake of exploring an idea. Writing something just for me, rather than for an audience, reminds me how much I enjoy writing, which helps me to unwind a bit and approach my projects with more playfulness.” – Icy Sedgwick You can find The Relaxed Author: Take the Pressure Off Your Art and Enjoy the Creative Journey on CreativePennBooks.com as well as on your favorite online store or audiobook platform, or order in your library or bookstore. The post The Relaxed Author Writing Tips With Joanna Penn and Mark Leslie Lefebvre first appeared on The Creative Penn.

Show Notes: Bruno Strunz, lawyer, keynote speaker, and author of How to Sell Value in the Legal Market, shares his background, including his career path as a lawyer, including making partner and working for Volkswagen, and his extensive experience working with various companies and firms in both the legal departments and sales departments.  Business Development for Professional Services Firms Bruno discusses his focus on business development for professional services firms, by selling in a structured and data-driven manner. Since 2018, he has been helping firms with what they have called the commoditization of quality and how to stand out in this competitive landscape. Bruno explains that his company initially focused on working with law firms for the last two years; they also started working with different types of professional services firms, including law firms, service orientated businesses,  and consultancy companies. A Bespoke Approach to Business Development Bruno explains his approach to business development, starting with a diagnostic to understand the client base, churn, revenue generation, and distribution channels over the previous three years. He highlights the importance of expanding within existing client bases rather than focusing solely on new client acquisition. Bruno discusses the common challenges law firms face, such as low CRM adoption and the need for better data-driven decision-making. He emphasizes the importance of using CRM platforms effectively to improve sales processes and decision-making. Best Practice Approach for Growth Bruno outlines a best practice approach for growing within existing clients, starting with an 80/20 analysis to identify strategic clients. He looks at each business unit and asks if they have an account management plan for each unit, which means power mapping, stakeholder mapping, who's part of the decision-making process, assessing relationships, and understanding client goals for 2026. Bruno discusses the need for a SWOT analysis within specific accounts and the importance of looking for expansion opportunities. He highlights the challenges of client feedback in Latin America and the importance of guiding clients through their decision-making process. Differentiation in a Commoditized Market Bruno addresses the issue of differentiating in a commoditized market, where technical quality is no longer a competitive advantage. He emphasizes the importance of early engagement in the B2B buying cycle to avoid commoditization. Bruno discusses the role of relationship management, networking initiatives, and top-of-mind awareness in becoming the vendor of choice. He highlights the importance of bringing new insights and improving client experience to stand out in a competitive market. Client Success Stories Bruno shares a success story of working with a client in crisis management, focusing on educating the market and reframing their storytelling. He explains how the client successfully converted a multi-million dollar project during a major crisis. Bruno discusses another success story involving a proprietary framework to deep dive into client offerings and identify specific pain points. He highlights the importance of segmenting target lists, prioritizing outreach efforts, and bringing new ideas to clients. Bruno emphasizes the importance of consistency and discipline in business development strategies. Timestamps: 04:11: Business Development Strategies for Law Firms 10:43: Building a Programmatic Approach to Client Growth  14:49: Differentiating in a Commoditized Market  20:01: Success Stories and Client Impact 29:34: Final Thoughts and Contact Information  Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brunostrunz/ Website: https://strunz.com.br/ This episode on Umbrex: https://umbrex.com/unleashed/episode-628-bruno-strunz-how-to-sell-value-in-professional-services/ Unleashed is produced by Umbrex, which has a mission of connecting independent management consultants with one another, creating opportunities for members to meet, build relationships, and share lessons learned. Learn more at www.umbrex.com. *AI generated timestamps and show notes.  

Sarah Rahall-Lunsford, the visionary behind Centered Strategies Consulting, joins us to share her unexpected leap from marketing to sales and business development. Her journey began with a simple piece of advice that transformed her approach, leading her to success in helping companies translate their expertise into effective sales strategies, particularly in professional services. Sarah's insights into understanding client needs and matching them with the right solutions frame sales as a service, emphasizing continuous improvement and the power of clear communication to truly stand out.  Our conversation with Sarah explores the fundamentals of effective marketing strategies that enable businesses to differentiate themselves in a saturated market. By honing in on what clients truly want and employing storytelling to highlight the unique benefits of their offerings, businesses can create a memorable impression. We focus on the vital role of data analysis for businesses navigating growth, as understanding trends and improving hit rates can significantly enhance competitiveness and better manage constraints.  Lastly, we dive into optimizing CRM systems and the transformative role of AI. Sarah articulates the challenges businesses face with data management and CRM implementation, advocating for streamlined processes that make data actionable. We discuss the integration of AI tools like Google Gemini and Copilot for Sales, which act as virtual assistants to improve productivity and engagement. Sarah shares her experiences using AI for efficient note-taking and data analysis, offering valuable insights for those looking to leverage AI in their business strategies.  Sarah Rahall-Lunsford brings over 20 years of experience driving business growth through pragmatic, consensus-driven strategies in business development and marketing. She has held senior leadership roles, including Director of Sales and Marketing for an international home furnishings brand and SVP of Business Development for a $450M ENR Top 15 transportation firm.  Sarah has led successful capture planning programs with win rates over 50%, generating $1.5B in contracts over the past decade. She managed a 20-person BD coordinator team, developed training programs, and helped build a national M&A strategy—from research and reporting to strategic intent presentations.  She holds a master's degree in organizational communication from Pepperdine University, where she led the Speech Laboratory, and a bachelor's in communication with a journalism minor from Butler University, where she also directed the Speaker's Lab.    Quotes:  On the Role of Marketing: "In a saturated market, standing out means truly connecting with decision-makers and focusing on what clients want to buy, not just what we want to sell."  On Data Management: "Companies often get trapped in a cycle of maintaining the status quo with CRM systems. It's essential to streamline processes and focus on making data actionable."  Integrating AI Tools: "AI tools like Google Gemini and Copilot for Sales are transforming CRM by acting as virtual assistants, improving productivity and engagement."  Navigating Growth Constraints: "Understanding trends and improving hit rates can significantly enhance competitiveness, helping businesses manage growth constraints more effectively."  On CRM Systems: "A CRM should work for the user, not against them. It's about stripping systems down to essential functions to avoid overwhelming users."    Links:   Sarah's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-rahall-lunsford-25883216/ Centered Strategies Consulting - https://www.centeredstrategiesconsulting.com Find this episode and all other Sales Lead Dog episodes at https://empellorcrm.com/salesleaddog/ Get your free copy of CRM Shouldn't Suck at https://crmshouldntsuck.com 

That Solo Life, Ep. 325: Why PR Pros Need To Master Telling Their Own Story Episode Summary In this episode, hosts Karen Swim and Michelle Kane dive into how the rapid rise of AI is transforming the PR landscape. They discuss why it's more vital than ever for solo PR pros to assert their unique value and own their professional narrative. The conversation covers the importance of personal branding, communicating your actual impact to clients, and leveraging your expertise in an era when technology is reshaping the industry. Listeners will gain actionable advice on standing out, building authority, and telling stories that reflect the real depth of public relations work. Episode Highlights [00:25] Warm welcomes and setting the stage: the hosts share how positive routines and community set the tone for solo work. [01:25] Spotlight on AI in PR: How artificial intelligence is changing the game, what it means for solo pros, and why human expertise still leads. [03:30] The Value Conversation: Why PR pros must own their value and show how their work creates true impact beyond media placements. [06:33] Personal Branding Matters: The art of telling your own story, building authority, and becoming visible in a tech-focused era. [09:13] Elevating the Profession: Taking control of the PR narrative in the age of AI and why ethics and expertise should come from within the industry. [11:44] Action Steps: Practical ways to amplify your voice, claim your expertise, and connect with the clients who truly value your work. Like this episode? Don't miss these popular episodes from That Solo Life: Episode 319: Succeeding at Business Development in a Tough Year Episode 322: The Rise of Rage Farms and Coordinated Disinformation Episode 312: Going Big by Going Small: Hidden Gold for PR Pros Host & Show Info That Solo Life is a podcast created for public relations, communication, and marketing professionals who work as independent and small practitioners. Hosted by Karen Swim, APR, founder of Words For Hire and President of Solo PR, and Michelle Kane, Principal of Voice Matters, the show delivers expert insights, encouragement, and advice for solo PR pros navigating today's dynamic professional landscape.   If this episode inspired you or gave you new ideas, we'd love to hear from you! Share your thoughts, stories, or questions by reaching out at SoloPRPro.com or connecting with us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe to "That Solo Life," leave a review, and tell a fellow solo pro about the show—your voice helps build and empower our community!

In the final episode of this four-part series on Telco Days 2025, Doug Green, Publisher of Technology Reseller News, speaks with Greg Goodwin, Director of Business Development at Software Mind, about the company's expanding role in global telecom innovation, the evolving MetaSwitch ecosystem, and the value of community-driven learning at Telco Days. Goodwin, who leads Business Development for Software Mind's telco division across the U.S. and the Americas, outlines how the company has grown to more than 1,800 specialists worldwide—including 200 telco-focused engineers—supporting service providers through OSS/BSS development, mobile applications, roaming solutions under its Amplitiv Telecommunications brand, and long-standing engineering expertise within the BroadWorks and Alianza ecosystems. “We really want to be seen as a trusted advisor—anticipating where the market's going so we can help our customers grow their business, cut costs, and stay ahead,” Goodwin explains, noting that Software Mind's model is built on innovation, co-creation, and delivering measurable value. Reflecting on the recent Alianza Navigate event, Goodwin describes renewed momentum among MetaSwitch customers as Alianza invests in new features and capabilities. “It was fantastic to hear the roadmap and see Alianza reinvesting in those MetaSwitch assets,” he says, emphasizing Software Mind's commitment to supporting operators preparing their systems for the platform's next generation of functionality. When discussing long-term partnerships, Goodwin highlights Software Mind's innovation-first approach, pointing to joint development opportunities where the company not only supplies engineering talent but co-creates new product features with partners. “Being seen as more than a technology provider—as a collaborator building the next generation of telco solutions—is core to how we work,” he adds. As the conversation turns to Telco Days, Goodwin describes why the annual Software Mind–hosted event has become a powerful knowledge hub for service providers. Featuring insights from partners like Alianza, AWS and Microsoft, Telco Days brings together global SPs to explore security, AI transformation, modernization strategies, and the real-world challenges facing telecom operators today. All conference materials and videos will be available at SoftwareMind.com. To learn more about Software Mind's services, engineering capabilities, and Telco Days resources, visit https://softwaremind.com/.

How Emerging Trends Are Revolutionizing Business Networks in 2026 with the CEO of BNI #235 Join us on the Unemployable Podcast as we dive into the inspiring journey of Mary Kennedy Thompson, a leader in the franchising world. Discover how her experiences in the Marine Corps and various franchise roles have shaped her leadership style and vision for the future. Learn about the power of networking and the impact of the International Franchise Association. Visit Mary Kennedy Thompson's website and the IFA website for more insights. Don't miss out on this engaging conversation! Call to Action: Subscribe now to stay updated with our latest episodes and insights from industry leaders.  

 In this episode of the BugBux Podcast, Allan sits down with industry veteran Harry Bryan, Director of Business Development at Nisus Corporation, who brings over 30 years of pest control and agricultural experience to the table. Together, they explore how the industry has evolved—from smarter customers and better-trained technicians to the rise of online communities and AI tools like ChatGPT.Harry shares practical insights on:How pest control has shifted from chemical-first to sustainability-focused strategiesThe rising value of networking, mentorship, and in-person events like PestWorldWhy new owners should build strong relationships with distributors and suppliersHow to craft your personal “story” when connecting with mentors and peersThe importance of community over competition in growing a successful companyThe episode also dives into Nisus' major new product launch—the ProShield Pest Control Insulation—and how PMPs can use it to add a powerful, profitable revenue stream while providing more value to customers.Whether you're brand new to pest control or decades in, this conversation will give you actionable steps, fresh perspective, and ideas to take your company to the next level. Tune in and level up!

Back in August, Bloody Disgusting moderated the panel BLOODLINES: The Evolution, Psychology, and Legacy of Gore in Horror Cinema at Midsummer Scream 2026 in Long Beach, CA. Presented by Storm King Comics, the panel covered the latex-heavy '80s to the slick effects of the 2000s to the raw brutality of Terrifier, pulling the thread on how gore isn't just for shock but a tool of expression, rebellion, and empathy. Guests included Greg Nicotero, executive producer of The Walking Dead franchise; Nick Castle, film director; and Sandy King Carpenter, founder of Storm King Comics. Shelby Novak of Scare You to Sleep and Michael Roffman, Executive Director of Business Development at Bloody Disgusting moderated the panel, which was recorded and being presented to you today. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Industrial Talk is talking to Nikki Gonzales, Director of Business Development at Weintek USA about "HMI - Human Machine Interface". Scott Mackenzie hosts Nikki Gonzales on the Industrial Talk Podcast to discuss the human-machine interface (HMI). Nikki shares her background, including her Icelandic roots and career journey in sales engineering and AI startups. She highlights Win Tech, a Taiwanese company specializing in HMIs, which manufactures over 2 million HMIs annually. Win Tech's HMIs are known for their durability, connectivity, and cost-effectiveness. Nikki emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and the challenges in industrial B2B sales. She also mentions her podcast, Automation Ladies, and encourages listeners to connect with her on LinkedIn. Action Items [ ] Check out the Wintec website at automation.io[ ] Listen to Nikki's podcast "Automation Ladies"[ ] Reach out to Nikki Gonzales Outline Introduction and Welcome Scott Mackenzie introduces the Industrial Talk Podcast, emphasizing its focus on industry professionals and innovations.Scott welcomes listeners and expresses gratitude for their support, highlighting the importance of continuous learning in the industry.Scott introduces Nikki Gonzales , the guest for the episode, and mentions the topic of discussion: the human-machine interface (HMI).Scott shares his personal experience with learning Spanish and the importance of passion and desire for continuous learning in the industry. Scott's Journey and Podcast Insights Scott discusses his journey into podcasting, starting eight years ago to understand marketing better.He mentions the importance of communicating company stories in an approachable and human way.Scott introduces two of his podcasts: "Ask Molly" and "Business Beatitudes," highlighting their focus on marketing insights and the soul of the industrial sector, respectively.Scott encourages listeners to check out these podcasts for valuable industry insights. Nikki Gonzales's Background and Career Journey Nikki shares her background, mentioning her move from Iceland to the U.S. in middle school and her father's career as an electrical engineer.She describes her early work experiences, starting with her father's small business and progressing through various roles in sales engineering and marketing.Nikki discusses her career path, including her work with sensor manufacturers, machine vision, motion control, software design, and AI startups.She highlights her recent role with a startup focused on supply chain software and inventory management, and her current position with Win Tech, an HMI manufacturer. Challenges in Industrial B2B Sales Scott and Nikki discuss the challenges of industrial B2B sales, particularly the complex landscape shaped by historical laws and regulations.Nikki explains the historical context of industrial sales, including the restrictions on manufacturers selling directly to consumers and the reliance on regional distributors.They discuss the differences in sales practices between the U.S. and Europe, where such restrictions are considered anti-competitive.Nikki shares her experiences with the complexities of industrial B2B sales, including the difficulties in digitalizing and simplifying the buying process. Win Tech and HMI Technology Nikki provides an overview of Win Tech, a Taiwanese company specializing in HMIs, and its history of innovation in touchscreen technology.She explains the role of HMIs in industrial automation, describing them as the interface between humans and machines.Nikki highlights Win Tech's...

A key part of converting a contact or prospect into a client is an advisor's ability to explain what they offer and to show how they're the right person to solve their pain points. This episode explores how leading with empathy, asking the right questions, and storytelling can help financial advisors turn curiosity into client commitment. Derek Kinney is the founder of Success for Advisors, a speaking and coaching firm that helps financial advisors communicate more effectively with prospects and clients. Listen in as Derek shares how he teaches advisors to open conversations with relatable "You know how..." statements that frame a prospect's problem and position the advisor as the solution (without giving away the fix too soon). You'll learn how using a calm, deliberate speaking style can convey authority and trust, why his "million-dollar questions" uncover what clients really want, and how sharing the successes of current clients in similar situations can move prospects naturally toward engagement. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/467

In this episode of The D2D Podcast, Hunter Lee welcomes Patrick Brien (CEO) and Dan Ringen (VP of Business Development) from SPCloser, an AI-powered coaching platform for door-to-door and in-home sales teams. With experience at companies like Fleetmatics, Boeing, NASA, and the Cleveland Guardians, Pat and Dan bring a data-driven approach to improving sales performance and team development.The conversation explores how artificial intelligence is reshaping coaching for door-to-door and in-home sales. Instead of waiting for a manager to shadow or review calls days later, reps can now get instant, objective feedback on their tone, listening skills, and objection handling. For sales managers, AI provides a clear view of each rep's strengths and recurring challenges without hours of manual observation. Business owners gain reliable data to measure progress, spot performance trends, and refine training systems that directly impact close rates and customer experience.The episode emphasizes one core truth: AI isn't replacing salespeople, it's making them more effective. By focusing on awareness, consistency, and communication quality, teams can develop habits that last long after the technology does its job.You'll find answers to key questions such as:How does AI feedback help sales reps close more deals?What common habits stop reps from improving their performance?How can managers coach effectively with limited time?How does AI improve sales performance in door-to-door and in-home selling?How can sales organizations use technology to train smarter at scale? Connect with the guests:Website: https://spcloser.com Instagram: @spcloser_ai 

Today I'm joined by Mark Altieri, EVP of Business Development at Zonic Design. We break down why fixed ops is still the most under-leveraged profit center in dealerships—and how communication gaps are quietly eroding customer loyalty. Mark explains how AI is reshaping customer engagement, why half of a dealership's DMS often sits untouched, and what operators can do to immediately improve retention. Clear takeaways, practical frameworks, and fast-changing tech insights make this a must-listen for every dealer. Have questions about how Zonic Design can help your service operations, reach out to Mark directly at mark@zonicdesign.com or find him on linkedin at https://www.linkedin.com/in/maltieri/ This episode is brought to you by: 1. Repair360 - If you're in the used car business, you know wasted time is wasted money. Check out Repair360—the first and only reconditioning software that connects every function in the dealership to tighten recon and help you sell more cars — No more hounding vendors. Goodbye endless texts and hallway chases. Repair 360 connects all the dots. See where every car is and what its recon is costing minute-to-minute in real time. Go to www.repair360.com 2. fullthrottle.ai® - fullthrottle.ai® is a next-generation AdTech powerhouse. The Automotive DSP™ is built specifically for the auto industry, combining advanced programmatic targeting, real-time bidding, and analytics tailored to drive dealership and OEM performance. With fullthrottle.ai®, marketers can reach the right car shoppers at the right moment and optimize toward real business outcomes like test drives, leads, or sales. fullthrottle.ai® bridges the gap between auto media buying and results-driven marketing. Check out http://fullthrottle.ai 3. Zonic Design - 28 years providing direct to dealer fixed operations solutions. Data • Print • Digital • Voice • AI, Removing the noise in pursuit of frictionless customer engagement. Learn more about BDC-Angel at https://zonicdesign.com Check out Car Dealership Guy's stuff: For dealers: CDG Circles ➤ ⁠https://cdgcircles.com/⁠ Industry job board ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://jobs.dealershipguy.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Dealership recruiting ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.cdgrecruiting.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Fix your dealership's social media ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.trynomad.co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Request to be a podcast guest ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.cdgguest.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ For industry vendors: Advertise with Car Dealership Guy ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.cdgpartner.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Industry job board ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://jobs.dealershipguy.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Request to be a podcast guest ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.cdgguest.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Topics: 00:06 Why are fixed ops so important? 00:28 What's the first impression in service? 02:38 Biggest challenge and opportunity in fixed ops? 06:10 How to improve dealership communication? 08:24 How can AI help service departments? 21:50 Tailoring communication strategies for different customers? 28:37 Final piece of advice for fixed ops? Car Dealership Guy Socials: X ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠x.com/GuyDealership⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠instagram.com/cardealershipguy/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠tiktok.com/@guydealership⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linkedin.com/company/cardealershipguy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Threads ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠threads.net/@cardealershipguy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077402857683⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Everything else ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠dealershipguy.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Industrial Talk is talking to Dan Anderson, Director of Business Development at ReliabilityX about "Asset management and Reliability best practices". Scott Mackenzie hosts an industrial podcast featuring Dan Anderson, a reliability and asset management expert. Dan discusses the importance of integrating asset management and maintenance reliability practices within organizations. He emphasizes the need for a high-level policy and strategic asset management plan (SAMP) to drive these efforts. Dan highlights the benefits of proactive maintenance, citing a case study where a company saved significant costs by implementing best practices. He also stresses the importance of top-down management commitment and continuous reassessment to sustain these improvements. Dan provides contact information for further discussions on these topics. Action Items [ ] Reach out to Dan Anderson at ReliabilityX to further discuss reliability and asset management best practices for the organization.[ ] Conduct a loss analysis to quantify the financial impact of downtime and short/stop times on production[ ] Develop a business case to justify investment in reliability improvement initiatives like planners, reliability engineers, and predictive maintenance technologies Outline Introduction and Welcome to Industrial Talk Podcast Scott MacKenzie welcomes listeners to the Industrial Talk Podcast, emphasizing its focus on industry professionals and their innovations.Scott introduces Dan Anderson, highlighting his expertise in asset management, reliability, and his role as the chairman of the board of SMRP.Scott praises Dan's insights and passion for reliability and asset management, describing him as a delightful and knowledgeable individual.Scott mentions upcoming events, including Power Gen in January, MD&M West in February, and Accelerate with Fluke Reliability in March, encouraging listeners to attend. Upcoming Events and Their Importance Scott discusses Power Gen, emphasizing its relevance to the power industry and its location in San Antonio, Texas.Scott highlights MD&M West, focusing on its significance for the manufacturing and med tech sectors and his excitement about broadcasting from the event.Scott talks about Accelerate with Fluke Reliability, praising its user conference and encouraging listeners to attend if they are interested in asset management and maintenance.Scott introduces the Barcelona Cyber Security Congress, emphasizing its importance for cyber security and digitalization in the industry. Introduction of Dan Anderson and His Background Scott reintroduces Dan Anderson, emphasizing his expertise in asset management and reliability.Dan provides a brief background, mentioning his role as the Director of Business Development at ReliabilityX and his position as the chairman of the board of SMRP.Scott and Dan discuss the importance of the SMRP annual conference and the positive interactions they had there.Dan shares his experience of dressing up for the SMRP annual conference, highlighting the professional atmosphere. Differences Between Asset Management and Reliability Dan explains the differences between asset management and reliability, noting that asset management is more strategic and driven by executive leadership.Dan describes the importance of a policy and a strategic asset management plan (SAMP) in asset management.Dan contrasts this with reliability, which involves day-to-day maintenance and proactive measures to ensure equipment is running smoothly.Scott and Dan discuss the importance of having a policy that is well-thought-out and not overly...