Podcasts about CRMS

In Part 2 of my 2026 Fundraising Trends series, we're going deeper into the tools, tech, and leadership shifts that will define nonprofit growth this year. If Part 1 was about strategy and visibility, this episode is about the systems and decision-making that actually make those strategies possible. I discuss upgrading outdated CRMs and donation tools, the rise of AI-assisted fundraising, the acceleration of donor-advised fund (DAF) giving, why leaders must color outside the lines to stay relevant, and how decision speed has become a key competitive advantage for nonprofits. I close with a look at the tech-driven donor experience, a world where frictionless giving, mobile-first design, SMS, and fast follow-up matter more than ever. If you're committed to modernizing your fundraising and leading boldly in 2026, these two-part episodes are your roadmap.Topics:Why Q1 is the perfect time to evaluate and upgrade CRMs, donation tools, and ESPsHow outdated tech silently kills conversion, retention, and reportingThe rise of AI-assisted fundraising as a normal acceleratorHow to use AI without losing your voice, authenticity, or accuracyDonor-Advised Funds (DAFs) are becoming a mainstream giving vehicleWhy nonprofits must “color outside the lines” and break legacy rulesThe need to drop slow, outdated tactics (raffles, auctions, galas) for modern, efficient onesDecision speed is a leadership advantage that drives revenuePerfectionism and committees as momentum killers in 2026The shift toward frictionless giving: SMS, mobile-first donations, automations, and welcome flowsFor a full list of links and resources mentioned in this episode, click here.Bloomerang is the complete donor, volunteer, and fundraising management solution that helps thousands of nonprofits deliver a better giving experience and create sustainable, thriving organizations. Combining robust, easy-to-use technology with people-powered support and training, Bloomerang empowers nonprofits to work efficiently, improve supporter relationships, and grow their donor and volunteer bases. Learn more here.Resources: Easy Emails For Impact™: The $5K+ Fundraising Campaign System Purpose & Profit Club® Fundraising + Marketing Accelerator The SPRINT Method™: Your shortcut to 10K fundraisers Instagram, LinkedIn, website , weekly newsletter [FREE] The Brave Fundraiser's Guide: Stop getting ignored. Start raising more. May contain affiliate links

Send us a textThe shed business isn't simple anymore—and that's a good thing if you know how to harness it. We take you behind the scenes of our five-year arc, share the wins and stumbles that pushed us to relaunch Shed Geek Marketing, and get practical about what actually moves revenue when buyers start online and finish on their terms.We dig into a hard question that reshapes everything: what is a lead for your model? If you run a high-volume, SEO-driven engine, a name and phone number can be enough when you have a team ready to engage within minutes. If you're a lot-based closer handling walk-ins and custom builds, you need richer context at the first touch—budget, timeline, use, and site constraints. Either way, speed-to-lead matters, but so does tone. Reaching out in thirty seconds can feel helpful or pushy, and the difference is your script, your offer, and whether the buyer asked for that help.You'll hear how we're aligning marketing and sales in a 2025 reality: clean websites with analytics, 3D configurators that convert, buyer guides that educate without pressure, and CRMs that automate qualification while keeping humans available when stakes rise. We talk partner tools that make proof visible—local delivery maps, photo galleries, and reviews tied to neighborhoods—because credibility is a growth multiplier. We also get honest about dealer economics: margin is thin, so disconnected tools are expensive. That's why we moved away from a pure white-label model to manage the customer experience in-house, coordinate specialists, and make sure ads, pages, and follow-up all point to the same goal.If you sell sheds, you're guiding one of the biggest purchases your customer will make. Clarity wins: pricing that makes sense, financing and RTO explained in plain English, timelines you can keep, and support that's one click away by phone, text, or live video. Ready to rethink your funnel, define your lead, and build a system that closes more of the right buyers? Follow the show, share this with your team, and leave a review with the one change you'll make this week.For more information or to know more about the Shed Geek Podcast visit us at our website.Would you like to receive our weekly newsletter?  Sign up here.Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, or YouTube at the handle @shedgeekpodcast.To be a guest on the Shed Geek Podcast visit our website and fill out the "Contact Us" form.To suggest show topics or ask questions you want answered email us at info@shedgeek.com.This episodes Sponsors:Studio Sponsor: Shed ProThree Oaks Trading CoShed ChallengerLuxGuard

In this episode of the Handyman Success Podcast, we sit down with Garin Wright, owner of List-B-Done Handyman Services in Bentonville, Arkansas. Garin shares how he went from a commercial door installer earning $15/hr to launching a full-time handyman business — all within a few months.

Send us a textIn this insightful episode of The Wealth Vibe Show, host Vinki Loomba sits down with George C. Knowlton III, a seasoned entrepreneur, real estate inspector, advisor, and general contractor. With over 40 years of hands-on experience in various industries, George shares how structured CRM systems and AI-driven processes have transformed his business operations, enabling sustainable success and scalability.Key Insights:From Construction to CRM Innovation: How George's transition from general contractor to tech entrepreneur led to the creation of the Now It's Done business operating system, designed to help small to medium-sized businesses scale and optimize operations.The Power of CRM Systems: How CRM systems, when properly utilized, can help businesses stay organized, nurture customer relationships, and automate workflows for maximum efficiency—without overwhelming business owners.Leveraging AI for Growth: George discusses how AI-powered virtual assistants, integrated within CRM platforms, help streamline tasks like customer outreach and communication, freeing up time for high-impact activities.Overcoming the DIY Trap: Learn why George advocates against the "do-it-yourself" approach when it comes to implementing CRMs. He shares valuable advice on the importance of partnering with experts to avoid costly mistakes and ensure long-term success.Episode Timestamps:00:00 - 04:40: George's journey from construction to CRM and business systems04:40 - 09:50: Building the Now It's Done business operating system and its impact09:50 - 14:00: How CRM systems can help businesses scale 14:00 - 18:30: The role of AI and virtual assistants18:30 - 22:00: The importance of ethical design 22:00 - 26:00: Common mistakes entrepreneurs make with CRMs 26:00 - 30:20: Tips on choosing the right CRM system 30:20 - 35:10: Leveraging CRM and structured processes35:10 - 40:30: How technology is evolving CRMs 

Leaders today are stuck in a constant three-way tug-of-war: time, quality, and cost. In the post-pandemic, hybrid-work era (2020–2025), the pressure doesn't ease—tech just lets us do more, faster, and the clock keeps yelling. This is a practical, leader-grade guide to getting control of your calendar without killing your standards or your people. Why does leadership time management feel harder now, even with better technology? It feels harder because technology increases speed and volume, so your workload expands to fill the space. Email, chat, dashboards, CRMs, and "quick calls" create the illusion of efficiency while quietly multiplying decisions and interruptions. In startups, that looks like context-switching between selling, hiring, and shipping. In large organisations—think Japan-based multinationals versus US tech firms—it becomes meetings, approvals, and stakeholder alignment. Either way, the result is the same: you're busy all day, but the important work stays parked. Answer card / Do now: Audit your week for "speed traps" (messages, meetings, micro-requests). Eliminate or cap the top two. What is the "Tyranny of the Urgent," and how does it wreck leader performance? The Tyranny of the Urgent is when urgent tasks bully important tasks off your schedule—until you're permanently firefighting. You end up reacting all day: chasing escalations, answering pings, and rescuing problems that should have been prevented. This is where burnout risk climbs and productivity drops—especially in people-heavy roles like sales leadership, operations, and client service. Leaders often say, "I don't have time to plan," but that's exactly how the urgent wins. The urgent will always show up; your job is to stop it running the company. Answer card / Do now: Name today's "urgent bully." Decide: delete, delegate, defer, or do—then move one important task back onto the calendar. How do I prioritise like a serious leader (not just make a chaotic to-do list)? Prioritising means ranking tasks by impact, not emotion—then doing them in that order. A scribbled list isn't a system. Leaders need a repeatable method for capture, ranking, and execution. Use simple impact questions: Will this protect revenue? Reduce risk? Improve customer outcomes? Build capability? In Japan, where consensus and quality are prized, leaders can over-invest in perfection; in the US, speed can dominate. The sweet spot is clarity: define "done," define the deadline, and define the owner. Answer card / Do now: Write your top 5 for tomorrow, rank them 1–5, and commit to finishing 1–2 before opening email/chat. What is the 4-box matrix and which quadrant should leaders live in? The best quadrant for leaders is "important but not urgent"—because that's where planning, thinking, and prevention happen. This is the Eisenhower/Covey style matrix in plain clothes: Important + Urgent: crises, deadlines, major issues (live here too long = stress + burnout) Important + Not urgent: strategy, coaching, planning, process improvement (your success engine) Not important + Urgent: interruptions, low-value requests (minimise and delegate) Not important + Not urgent: digital junk time (limit ruthlessly) Big firms (Toyota-style operational excellence) and fast movers (Rakuten-style pace) both win when leaders protect Quadrant 2 time. Answer card / Do now: Block 60–90 minutes this week for "Important/Not Urgent" work—and guard it like a client meeting. How do I stop low-priority work and social media from stealing my day? You stop it by making "wasted time" visible and socially awkward—then replacing it with intentional breaks.Leaders often underestimate the drag of "just checking" feeds, news, or random videos. It's not the minutes; it's the mental fragmentation. If you need a break, take a break that restores you: a 30-minute walk, a short workout, a proper lunch, or a reset chat with someone who energises you. In high-output cultures across Asia-Pacific and Europe, the smartest leaders build recovery into the week because it protects decision quality. Answer card / Do now: Put friction on distractions (log out, remove apps, notifications off). Replace with one "recovery break" you actually schedule. What tactical system works: daily task lists, time blocking, delegation, or batching? It's all four—stacked into one simple operating rhythm: list, block, protect, batch, delegate. Start the day with a written, prioritised list, then time-block the top items by making an appointment with yourself. Protect that time as aggressively as you would protect a client meeting. Next: delegate "not important but urgent" tasks where possible, and batch similar work to stay in flow—calls together, approvals together, email twice a day, admin in one chunk. This reduces ramp-up time and context switching, which is a silent killer in leadership roles. Answer card / Do now: Choose one batching rule for next week (e.g., email at 11:30 and 16:30 only). Tell your team so expectations reset. Conclusion: the leader's real edge is intentional time investment Time management for leaders isn't about being "busy." It's about choosing where your time goes so you get better outcomes with less chaos. The urgent will always knock. Your job is to build a system that keeps the important work moving—planning, coaching, prevention, and decisions—so your team isn't living in crisis mode. Quick next steps for leaders (this week) Block one Quadrant 2 session (strategy/planning) and defend it. Create a daily top-5 list and finish 1–2 items before messages. Delegate one "urgent but not important" task permanently. Implement one batching rule for communications. Track your time for 3 days and delete your biggest "time thief". Optional FAQs Yes—time tracking is worth it, because it shows you the truth, not your intentions. Even three days of tracking can reveal where meetings, messages, and busywork are leaking value. Yes—delegation can reduce quality short term, but it increases capability long term. Use clear "definition of done," checklists, and feedback loops to lift standards while distributing load. No—planning doesn't slow you down; it prevents rework and constant firefighting. A small investment in planning typically saves hours of avoidable churn. Author Bio Dr. Greg Story, Ph.D. in Japanese Decision-Making, is President of Dale Carnegie Tokyo Training and Adjunct Professor at Griffith University. He is a two-time winner of the Dale Carnegie "One Carnegie Award" (2018, 2021) and recipient of the Griffith University Business School Outstanding Alumnus Award (2012). As a Dale Carnegie Master Trainer, Greg is certified to deliver globally across leadership, communication, sales, and presentation programs, including Leadership Training for Results. He has written several books, including best-sellers Japan Business Mastery, Japan Sales Mastery, and Japan Presentations Mastery, along with Japan Leadership Mastery and How to Stop Wasting Money on Training. His works have been translated into Japanese, including Za Eigyō (ザ営業), Purezen no Tatsujin (プレゼンの達人), Torēningu de Okane o Muda ni Suru no wa Yamemashō (トレーニングでお金を無駄にするのはやめましょう), and Gendaiban "Hito o Ugokasu" Rīdā (現代版「人を動かす」リーダー). Greg also publishes daily business insights on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter, hosts six weekly podcasts, and produces YouTube shows including The Cutting Edge Japan Business Show, Japan Business Mastery, and Japan's Top Business Interviews, followed by executives seeking success strategies in Japan.

If you're still saying “I've never advertised and I'm doing fine” — this episode is for you.

Send us a textPublic sector organizations operate under a fundamentally different set of constraints and expectations than their private-sector counterparts, making CRM selection a strategic decision rather than a purely technical one. Before reviewing our Top 10 Public Sector CRMs in 2025, it is important to align on how success is defined in this environment, where accountability, transparency, and service continuity often take precedence over revenue growth or pipeline velocity. Government agencies, municipalities, and public institutions must support complex case management, constituent engagement, regulatory compliance, and multi-year programs, frequently within rigid budget cycles and procurement frameworks. As a result, public sector CRMs must prioritize governance, data security, accessibility, and long-term adaptability, rather than simply replicating commercial sales or marketing use cases.In this episode, our host Sam Gupta discusses the top 10 Public Sector CRMs in 2025. He also discusses several variables that influence the rankings of these Public Sector CRMs. Finally, he shares the pros and cons of each CRM system.Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Rk74lc0LbYRead: https://www.elevatiq.com/post/top-non-profit-crms/Questions for Panelists?

In this bonus “fireside chat” episode, Voda Cleaning & Restoration founder and CEO Dan Claps pulls back the curtain on the realities of franchise ownership—and why “franchising takes out the guesswork, not the work.” Dan walks listeners through what you're actually buying when you buy a franchise: the systems, the brand, and most importantly, the people and culture behind it. He shares how to evaluate a franchisor's leadership team, what to look for in a discovery process, and the five core questions every serious buyer needs answered—how you'll get customers, how you'll get employees, what makes the brand stand out, what the numbers look like, and what the day-to-day life of an owner really is.Dan is joined by key members of the Voda team, including Chief Development Officer Steve Miller and CMO Christian Betancourt,, who break down how to read the FDD (especially Item 7 and Item 19), why validation calls with franchisees matter, and what “good support” should look like after you sign. The conversation goes deep on operations, onboarding, training, tech, and marketing infrastructure—down to dashboards, CRMs, call centers, and ROI tracking—plus Dan's simple framework for growth (the only four ways to generate leads and the only four ways to grow a business). They also field live questions about what differentiates Voda, the dual cleaning + restoration model, and how the brand keeps franchise owners connected through cohort-style onboarding, Microsoft Teams community, weekly huddles, advisory councils, and conferences, ending with a candid reminder: not everyone is cut out for franchising, and that's okay.

Key topics covered include:-How to match CRM platforms to firm size, growth trajectory, and long-term vision.-Why integration and automation are critical to improving operational efficiency.-The differences in analytics, reporting, and dashboards across Redtail, Wealthbox, and Salesforce.-How clean, connected data enhances client experience and firm value.-Why advisors should “run their business as if they're selling it tomorrow”.This episode offers practical insight for advisors who are evaluating a CRM for the first time, considering a platform change, or simply want to understand how better data strategy can unlock more time, clarity, and growth.Download our whitepaper here: https://jedidatabasesolutions.com/resources/  Learn more about our companies and resources:-Elite Consulting Partners | Financial Advisor Transitions: https://eliteconsultingpartners.com-Elite Marketing Concepts | Marketing Services for Financial Advisors: https://elitemarketingconcepts.com-Elite Advisor Successions | Advisor Mergers and Acquisitions: https://eliteadvisorsuccessions.com-JEDI Database Solutions | Technology Solutions for Advisors: https://jedidatabasesolutions.com  Listen to more Advisor Talk episodes: https://eliteconsultingpartners.com/podcasts/Key topics covered include:

Send us a textHigher education institutions operate in an environment where academic mission, financial sustainability, and long-term stakeholder relationships must coexist—placing unique demands on enterprise systems. Before reviewing our Top Higher Education CRM Systems in 2025, it is essential to clarify how CRM success is defined in this context, where engagement extends far beyond traditional recruitment or advancement functions. Universities must manage complex, multi-decade relationships with prospective students, current learners, alumni, donors, faculty, research partners, and governing bodies, often across decentralized colleges and departments. As a result, higher education CRMs must emphasize lifecycle visibility, data governance, cross-functional coordination, and compliance, rather than narrowly focusing on transactional interactions or short-term conversion metrics.In this episode, our host Sam Gupta discusses the top 10 Higher Education CRMs in 2025. He also discusses several variables that influence the rankings of these Higher Education CRMs. Finally, he shares the pros and cons of each CRM system.Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=suOIiIoZDFARead: https://www.elevatiq.com/post/top-non-profit-crms/Questions for Panelists?

On this week's episode of  the Venue RX Podcast, our host Jonathan Aymin sits down with Sam Jacobson, Co-Founder of DUET and Owner of Ideaction Consulting, to talk about what it really takes to start or refine a business with a strong digital presence in today's ever-changing industry.Sam explores why business owners can't afford to operate on autopilot, how the wedding and creative industries have evolved over the years, and why regularly reassessing your goals, services, and direction is essential for long-term growth. Sam breaks down the foundational steps of building a business, from defining your ideal client and structuring your services to deciding whether to remain owner-operated or build a team.He also dives into how to transition from saying “yes” to every client to intentionally targeting the right ones, using real-world client examples and case studies. Sam shares practical ways to gather and analyze client feedback through surveys, reviews, CRMs, and AI-powered tools, plus he explains how to use AI responsibly to enhance strategy, systems, SOPs, and operations without relying on it as a shortcut.He highlights the importance of business structure, naming, branding, and the importance of taking imperfect action, knowing when to refine, pivot, or double down on what's already working, so you can keep moving forward without getting overwhelmed.About Our Guest: Sam Jacobson is a Co-Founder of DUET and the Owner of Ideaction Consulting, where he has spent nearly two decades helping wedding professionals elevate their businesses and stay ahead in a competitive market. Through Ideaction Consulting, Sam has guided hundreds of creative entrepreneurs by sharpening their marketing messages, understanding buyer psychology, and building sales systems that convert interest into booked clients.Known for his ability to activate audience interest, Sam specializes in clear, persuasive communication that attracts ideal clients directly to the inbox. As social-led marketing emerged as the primary driver of visibility and inquiries for creative brands, Sam became deeply focused on the strategies that turn attention into trust—and trust into results.At DUET, Sam leads client strategy and trains the team on how to use storytelling to spark connection, build credibility, and drive measurable growth for wedding venues and creative businesses alike.Find Him Here: Website: https://ideactionconsulting.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ideactionconsulting/?hl=e Website: https://duetsocialmedia.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/duetsocialmedia/?hl=en

Send us a textIn this session, Richard C. Wilson breaks down the six must-have assets almost every capital raiser is missing, and how to show up like an institutional-quality professional instead of “just another deal.”Here are the 6 must-haves he covers:Unique position – a clearly defined, memorable niche so investors know exactly where you fit and why you're different.One-line capital-raising pitch – a single sentence with 3 data points explaining what you do, why people trust you, and the value you add.Founder video – a short, authentic video that builds trust, shows who you are, and briefly walks through what your company actually does.Visual one-pager – a simple, scan-friendly one page that an investor can understand between the gate and their airplane seat.Concise pitch deck – ideally 10–15 pages (or under 25 pages) that investors will really read, with the detail pushed to a data room instead of a 44-page info dump.Due diligence data room – organized documents plus a master DDQ and background check ready to go so serious investors can dig in quickly.Richard also shares why:– Relationships drive investment decisions more than IRR projections– Consistent, niche content (talks, videos, articles, etc.) makes you locally, then nationally known– Tools like CRMs, AI call transcription, outbound dialers, and even old-school direct mail can dramatically improve your investor follow-up– Protecting your time, saying no, and moving fast are common patterns among the most successful family offices and foundersIf you're raising capital or advising portfolio companies, this talk gives you a practical checklist for becoming investor-ready and upgrading the quality of the conversations you're having.Learn more at https://familyoffices.com/ for events, investor club memberships, and capital-raising tools.https://familyoffices.com/

In today's RaiseMasters Radio episode, Pat sits down with Aarati to break down how she used avatar clarity, education-first messaging, and simple systems to scale from manual outreach to raising $7.5M in a year. They unpack how CRMs, AI, and consistent education turn trust into fast-moving capital. Tune in if you want investors ready before the deal even shows up. Resources mentioned in the episode: Aarati Sawhney LinkedIn Interested in learning how to take your capital raising game to the next level? Meet us at Capital Raiser's Edge. Learn more here: https://raisingcapital.com/cre

After an 18-year rise through corporate HR—from recruiter to group president across Canada and the U.S.—Dom walked away from a “safe” executive career to build something on his own terms. In this conversation, we unpack why large organizations quietly trade momentum for bureaucracy, how technology and automation empower lean founders, and why “stability” often comes at the cost of creativity, speed, and meaning.We explore intrapreneurship vs. entrepreneurship, the hidden traps of bloated systems, and how founders can use data, automation, and open APIs to move faster without burning capital. The throughline isn't rebellion—it's agency. Building work that's fun, aligned, and alive again.No anti-corporate rant. Just lived experience, hard trade-offs, and a clear-eyed look at what it really takes to step off the stable path—and thrive.TL;DR* Stability is conditional: Corporate safety disappears the moment priorities shift.* Intrapreneur vs. founder: Big-company success doesn't equal personal leverage.* Tech as leverage: Automation and BI (not hype AI) unlock speed for lean teams.* Systems can trap you: CRMs and ERPs either enable growth—or become prisons.* Innovation dies slowly: Bureaucracy rewards optics over outcomes.* Work-life blend > balance: Fun, purpose-driven work creates sustainability.* Momentum matters: Small teams with clarity outperform slow giants.Memorable lines* “Stability often costs more than risk—you just don't see the bill right away.”* “Big systems don't fail fast. They fail quietly.”* “AI isn't magic—it's leverage if you know what problem you're solving.”* “Careers don't collapse overnight; they stall one approval layer at a time.”* “Fun isn't a perk—it's fuel.”GuestDominic Levesque — HR executive turned founder; CEO of NextWave; author and advisor on leadership, technology, and organizational transformation.

Arianna knew something wasn't right with her cycle, but when she went to her doctor, they just prescribed birth control. It didn't work. So they added a second form of birth control. Then, a third! Without ever getting to the underlying issue causing the issue in the first place. Finally, she had had enough. The journey she took from that point is an inspiration to us all. I know you'll enjoy this episode with fellow FCP, Arianna Bañuelos.NOTE: This episode is appropriate for most audiences but does mention pregnancy loss and trauma.GUEST BIO: Arianna Bañuelos is a wife, mom of five, and host of Fertility and Wholeness with Arianna. She's bilingual in English and Spanish and shares her journey of discovering the Creighton Model, inspiring women to embrace whole-person health.MORE HELPFUL INFO:Contact Arianna for Spanish-speaking CrMS services: arianna@fruitfulnwhole.comEp. 2: BASICS - Fertility Method of Choice: CreightonEp. 143: Preventing Miscarriage by optimizing Thyroid with functional med/NaProTechnology, with Amanda Frederick, FNPSend us a textSupport the showOther great ways to connect with Woven Natural Fertility Care: Learn the Creighton Model System with us! Register here! Get our monthly newsletter: Get the updates! Chat about issues of fertility + faith: Substack Follow us on Instagram: @wovenfertility Watch our episodes on YouTube: @wovenfertility Love the content? The biggest gift you could give is to click a 5 star review and write why it was so meaningful! This podcast is provided for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute providing medical advice or professional services. The information provided should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, and those seeking personal medical advice should consult with a licensed physician. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health provider regarding a medical condition. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room immediately. Neither Woven nor its staff, nor any contributor to this podcast, makes any represe...

Michael Garvey isn't a full-time entrepreneur — he's a full-time New Jersey state trooper who built a serious lawn fertilization and weed control business on his days off. The Blue Collar Twins sit down with the founder of Coastal Fertilization to unpack how discipline, structure, and smart partnerships turned a side hustle into a tightly run operation serving nearly 900 customers. Starting in 2017 with just 10 accounts, Michael leveraged mentorship, branding, and systems to scale Coastal without chasing discounts or cutting corners. He breaks down why professional trucks, visible yard signs, referrals, and geographic focus outperform flashy marketing — and how staying “middle of the road” on pricing attracts the right customers. From delegation and route density to cash flow discipline, CRMs, and building a business that doesn't rely on constant chaos, this episode is a masterclass in running a service company with intention.

Jason Cassity and The Broke Agent discuss the 2026 State of Social report by Brandwatch and key social media trends highlighted by Sprout Social before breaking down what worked and didn't work in 2025, and sharing their goals and resolutions for 2026.

In this Read Listen Watch®, Heidi Ellsworth and Jon Abernathy of TAMKO discuss how roofing professionals can turn downtime into opportunity. Join them and explore how to extend your season through cold-weather applications, safety practices and restoration work, while preparing strategically for 2026 with financial reviews, training and smart technology like CRMs and AI. Learn how to meet shifting consumer demands and take advantage of affinity programs, partnerships and business-building tools from TAMKO to stay ahead year-round.   Learn more at RoofersCoffeeShop.com!  https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/     Are you a contractor looking for resources? Become an R-Club Member today! https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/rcs-club-sign-up     Sign up for the Week in Roofing!  https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/sign-up     Follow Us!   https://www.facebook.com/rooferscoffeeshop/   https://www.linkedin.com/company/rooferscoffeeshop-com   https://x.com/RoofCoffeeShop   https://www.instagram.com/rooferscoffeeshop/   https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAQTC5U3FL9M-_wcRiEEyvw   https://www.pinterest.com/rcscom/   https://www.tiktok.com/@rooferscoffeeshop   https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/rss     #tamko #RoofersCoffeeShop #MetalCoffeeShop #AskARoofer #CoatingsCoffeeShop #RoofingProfessionals #RoofingContractors #RoofingIndustry   

Send us a textIn this episode of Soulful Self-Care Conversations, Pearl sits down with LeeAnna Taylor, a coach and mentor for women entrepreneurs in their startup phase, to talk about one of the most overlooked — yet most critical — aspects of business success: systems and organization.After meeting at a high-level women's entrepreneurship event in Las Vegas, Pearl knew LeeAnna's approach to helping new solopreneurs build sustainable businesses aligned perfectly with the transformational work she does with women at her retreats.This conversation dives deep into:Why so many women feel overwhelmed after starting a businessHow lack of systems creates stress, burnout, and chaosWhy organization is a form of self-careHow saying “yes” to structure gives you back time, clarity, and confidenceIf you've ever felt like your business owns you instead of the other way around — this episode is for you.Meet the Guest: LeeAnna TaylorLeeAnna Taylor is a:Military spouseSerial entrepreneurCoach and mentor for women entrepreneurs in their startup phaseFounder of Biz Bytes Collective, a mentorship space built for women creating something of their ownLeeAnna helps new solopreneurs find direction and confidence by guiding them through systems and operations setup, so they can stop feeling scattered and start building businesses that support their lives — not consume them.Introducing Little LeeAnna: The Roots of a High AchieverLeeAnna opens up about her childhood, sharing that she was a high-achieving, easily overwhelmed, and often angry child — something she now recognizes as sensory overload common in many driven women.Growing up in a small town with limited representation of entrepreneurs, LeeAnna followed the traditional path she believed was “success”: college, career, climb the ladder. But that path eventually led to dissatisfaction — and ultimately, to entrepreneurship.Her story highlights a powerful truth:Many women don't lack ambition — they lack representation and systems.Why Systems Matter (More Than You Think)LeeAnna explains that most of her clients don't come to her saying:“I don't know what business to start.”Instead, they say:“I feel disorganized.”“I'm stressed all the time.”“I don't know what to work on next.”“I feel like I'm busy, but nothing is moving forward.”Her first step with every client is a mini audit, asking:What is the one thing causing the most stress right now — and what would immediately make you feel lighter?That answer becomes the starting point.The Most Important System to Build FirstBefore CRMs, email platforms, or automation tools, LeeAnna emphasizes one foundational system:

In this insightful episode of "It's the Bottom Line That Matters," hosts Jennifer Glass, Daniel McCraine and Patricia Reszetylo tackle the crucial business skill of follow-up. The conversation opens with a discussion on how many touchpoints it really takes to secure client relationships, especially in environments where multiple interactions are often needed before a sale is made. The trio gets candid about their own follow-up habits—both the successes and the areas where they've fallen short—illustrating that even seasoned professionals sometimes struggle to stay on top of client communications.Listeners will learn about the different follow-up approaches that can work for a variety of businesses, whether retail, professional, or service-based. Daniel McCraine shares his experience of when consistent follow-up is a good investment of time, and when it's better to let clients come back at their own pace, especially in industries where readiness is a key factor. Jennifer Glass and Patricia Reszetylo discuss the advantages and challenges of relying on systems like CRMs, automated emails, and even handwritten notes, as well as the importance of mixing technology with personal touches.The episode also delves into preferences for how people like to receive follow-ups—whether by text, email, or traditional mail—and reveals the importance of choosing the right channel for your audience. For those who find follow-up daunting, the hosts remind us that doing something, even if imperfect, is far better than not following up at all. Wrapping up, the team encourages business owners to take action on long-forgotten contacts and leverage simple outreach to rekindle connections, reminding listeners that a simple message could lead to valuable new opportunities. This episode is a must-listen for anyone wanting practical, relatable advice on building stronger client relationships and boosting their bottom line through thoughtful follow-up.KEYWORDS: follow up, customer retention, client communication, CRM, automation, handwritten notes, direct mail, text messaging, email follow up, touch points, warm traffic, business relationships, sales process, thank you messages, networking, business cards, virtual coffee chat, sales funnel, prospect nurturing, mindset shift, coaching, consulting, automated touch points, reminders, promotional messages, service business, personal preferences, short code texts, business phone system, unsubscribe issues, client databaseHere are 3 actionable takeaways you can use today:Consistency beats perfection! As Daniel McCraine points out, even imperfect follow-up is better than none. Set up a simple system that works for you, and stick to it—something is always better than nothing.Mix up your methods. Don't rely solely on email—consider automated handwritten notes, text messages, or even direct mail to stay top of mind. Jennifer Glass suggests automating physical mail for a personal touch that stands out.Reconnect with old contacts. That stack of business cards from networking events? Use them as an opportunity. Reach out, acknowledge the lapse, and invite a conversation—you never know what doors you might open.If you've neglected the art of follow-up, now's the time to get back in the game. What's one small step you'll take today to reconnect with your network?#BusinessTips #Networking #FollowUp #Relationships #Entrepreneurship

Nina is a LinkedIn™ featured brand builder and a content and engagement strategist for creators, coaches, and consultants.She collaborates with service-based entrepreneurs to develop strategies and create digital content that enable them to grow organically on LinkedIn.Nina is a recovering producer and documentary filmmaker. She's seen it all — from the early days of independent features to national TV commercials, corporate mega-shows, and Emmy Award–winning documentaries, including Abraham's Children, which she produced.Nina is from Switzerland. She owned 11-pound Dachshund mix who has her well trained.In today's episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn how to spot the right time to pivot, how to use AI without losing your authenticity, and simple LinkedIn routines that build real relationships instead of noise.Nina and I discuss:Nina's career journey and pivots from filmmaking to online coaching and video marketing [00:02:19]The pivot from video production to focusing on organic LinkedIn strategy [00:04:03]Techniques to listen for market changes and when to consider a pivot (including AI) [00:05:38]How to acknowledge AI in your messaging without chasing every shiny thing [00:08:44]The LinkedIn shift from a social graph to an interest graph — why engagement now drives visibility [00:11:00]The power of a consistent commenting practice and why you can post less but comment more [00:11:53]Nina's “list of 25” tactic for regular, strategic engagement [00:12:59]Why commenting builds meaningful relationships (and comment etiquette to avoid “bro marketing”) [00:13:47]Organizing LinkedIn outreach: engagement groups, spreadsheets, and simple CRMs [00:16:51]The role of community in business growth and the inspiration/accountability it provides [00:19:32]Ideal community size for meaningful connection (Nina's sweet spot: 30–100) [00:21:41]Questions to ask when choosing the right community for your transition (size, topic, demographics, geography, founder) [00:23:08]Where to find Nina's resources (Five Steps to a Perfect LinkedIn Post; Nine Steps to a Near-Perfect LinkedIn Profile) and how to connect with her [00:25:48]Learn more about Nina at https://clockwiseproductions.com and https://www.linkedin.com/in/nina-froriep/______________________________________________________________About Smashing the PlateauSmashing the Plateau shares stories and strategies from corporate refugees: mid-career professionals who've left corporate life to build something of their own.Each episode features a candid conversation with someone who has walked this path or supports those who do. Guests offer real strategies to help you build a sustainable, fulfilling business on your terms, with practical insights on positioning, growth, marketing, decision-making, and mindset.Woven throughout are powerful reminders of how community can accelerate your success.______________________________________________________________Take the Next Step• Experience the power of community.Join a live guest session and connect with peers who understand the journey:https://smashingtheplateau.com/guest • Not ready to join live yet? Stay connected.Get practical strategies, stories, and invitations delivered to your inbox:https://smashingtheplateau.com/news

Send us a textSelecting the right CRM in the K-12 education sector is less about sales enablement and more about orchestrating complex, long-lived relationships across an entire educational community. Before we present our Top K-12 Education CRMs in 2025, it is important to align on what success looks like in this context—where the “customer” spans students, parents, teachers, administrators, district leadership, and external partners, each with distinct engagement cycles and data needs. K-12 organizations require platforms that can manage enrollment journeys, communications, compliance, and support interactions over many years, often under strict regulatory and budgetary constraints. As a result, CRM selection in this space prioritizes governance, data integrity, and lifecycle visibility over traditional pipeline management or revenue optimization.In this episode, our host Sam Gupta discusses the top 10 K-12 Education CRMs in 2025. He also discusses several variables that influence the rankings of these K-12 Education CRMs. Finally, he shares the pros and cons of each CRM system.Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIIesikgPkoRead: https://www.elevatiq.com/post/top-non-profit-crms/Questions for Panelists?

Shayna Shadowen grew up a third-generation electrical worker, and Jason married into the trade. After years in new construction and eventually running a service company, they discovered a need for better office support in small rural trades businesses. That led to My Office Help—an outsourced back-office and CSR solution built around powerful systems, including multiple CRMs, custom mapping, scheduling, QuickBooks Online bookkeeping, and even AI-powered phone answering. They now help small to mid-sized companies (up to ~10 trucks) handle calls, permits, dispatching, and more so business owners can “do what you do best and let us do the rest.

Today's question is one that hits Tique's inbox at least once a day: Should I change my CRM? Jennifer, Robin, and Ashlyn (Tique's workflow guru and product manager) break down why the answer is usually not so fast. Before you chase the next shiny tech solution, hear why you should first fully use the features you already have, and how skipping that step can lead to unnecessary costs, messy migrations, and full-blown workflow chaos. Ashlyn walks through what a CRM should be doing for your business, how to evaluate whether it's actually falling short, and why tightening your processes often solves the problem long before a system switch ever will. You'll also get a rundown of the five travel-industry CRMs they recommend and how to assess which tool aligns with your business. If the lure of a new platform has been calling your name, this episode is your sign to pause, evaluate, and make moves with intention instead of impulse!  Workflow Implementation → tiquehq.com/workflow-implementation Connect with Ashlyn → hello@tiquehq.com JOIN THE NICHE COMMUNITY VISIT THE TEMPLATE SHOP EXPLORE THE PROGRAMS FOLLOW ALONG ON INSTAGRAM @TiqueHQ

Send us a textWhat does it take to look genuinely trustworthy in a low‑trust digital world? We sat down with RealWork Labs founder Pierce Birkhold to explore a practical path: stop telling people you're great and start showing them, right down to the street where you delivered the last shed. Pierce brings a rare blend of math, sales psychology, and product thinking to a challenge every local builder and trades pro faces—turning website visits into calls by proving real work happening nearby.We break down how conversation intelligence can ethically boost reviews by calling customers after install and being upfront about the nature of the call. That simple disclosure increases engagement and lowers friction. From there, Pierce maps out a stack that makes proof effortless: integrations with CRMs to auto-tag jobs, geotagged photos linked to reviews, and a thumb-friendly portfolio you can text during a quote. On your site, a clean widget lets buyers filter by zip code and job type; behind the scenes, long-form job pages give search engines the structured, verifiable data they need to rank you for local intent.You'll hear why AI-generated fluff backfires, why verified reviews tied to specific jobs are now SEO gold, and how “show, don't tell” wins both humans and algorithms. For shed builders, carport dealers, roofers, and other home services, the takeaway is simple: neighbors' installs are your strongest sales pitch. When a prospect can zoom into their area, see the photos, read the review, and recognize the neighborhood, your credibility jumps and so do your phone calls.Curious how to turn your scattered photos and reviews into a trust engine that works on your lot and on your site? Hit play, then tell us which proof signal you're missing today. For more information or to know more about the Shed Geek Podcast visit us at our website.Would you like to receive our weekly newsletter?  Sign up here.Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, or YouTube at the handle @shedgeekpodcast.To be a guest on the Shed Geek Podcast visit our website and fill out the "Contact Us" form.To suggest show topics or ask questions you want answered email us at info@shedgeek.com.This episodes Sponsors:Studio Sponsor: Shed ProThree Oaks Trading CoNewFound SolutionsIdentigrowCAL

Who Owns Your Digital Empire? Protect & Value Your Invisible Assets Before You Sell Your BusinessWelcome to ValuationPodcast.com—your go-to resource for navigating the world of business growth and valuation. I'm Melissa Gragg, a financial mediator and business valuation expert in St. Louis, Missouri.In this episode, I sit down with Paige Wiest, CEO of Tree Ring Digital, to uncover one of the biggest blind spots business owners face today—digital asset ownership, continuity, and valuation.If you think “I know where my website is,” or “my marketing team handles that,” this conversation will open your eyes. Paige breaks down the hidden digital assets that can make or break your valuation, delay due diligence, trigger legal conflicts, or even destroy a deal entirely.We talk about:✔️ What digital assets actually are (it's far more than a website)✔️ Why owners lose control of their online presence without realizing it✔️ How digital chaos affects valuation, due diligence & post-transaction headaches✔️ Business continuity, digital continuity & avoiding operational breakdowns✔️ The rising importance of AEO (AI Engine Optimization)✔️ How small oversights—like a past employee's phone number—can cost you thousands⭐ 5 Key Takeaways1. Most business owners do NOT own or control all their digital assets. Logins, domains, hosting, ad accounts, social profiles, CRMs, and tools are often scattered, vendor-owned, or tied to former employees.2. Due diligence can break down without digital asset clarity. Buyers lose confidence when ownership is unclear—leading to retrades, lower valuations, or stalled deals.3. Digital continuity is as critical as operational continuity. If a vendor disappears or an employee leaves, businesses can lose access to websites, analytics, systems, or customer funnels.4. AI-driven search (AEO) will not replace SEO—but requires a clean, authoritative digital foundation. Without SEO fundamentals and trustworthy structured data, AEO strategies fall flat.5. Digital asset audits need to happen BEFORE going to market. Fixing gaps can take months (or legal battles), so owners should inventory and secure everything early.If you're preparing for a sale, planning expansion, or simply want to protect what you've built, this episode gives you the blueprint to regain control of your digital empire.Learn More & Download Paige's Digital Asset Protection Checklist:treeringdigital.com/valuationPaige Wiese (W-ee-s) is the founder and CEO of Tree Ring Digital, a top-ranked Denver-based marketing agency that develops high performance websites and digital marketing strategies for businesses nationwide. With 16 years of industry experience, Paige has seen companies and CEOs struggle to manage and maintain their assets through growth or transition. She hasrecently developed a proprietary digital asset management service to track and protect companies' over 200 data points. Paige is a dedicated speaker and mentor on the topics of brand protection and business growth.https://www.linkedin.com/in/paigewiese/https://www.treeringdigital.com/Connect with Melissa:Melissa Gragg  Expert testimony for financial and valuation issues  Bridge Valuation Partners, LLC  melissa@bridgevaluation.com  http://www.BridgeValuation.com  Cell: (314) 541-8163Support the show

In today's episode, we unpack one of the most powerful—yet often underdeveloped—performance drivers in Sales Leadership: effective time management for sales teams.Even though it's one of the most talked-about skills in the professional world, time management remains a major challenge for both salespeople and sales leaders alike. Drawing on principles from Atomic Habits and the Ford Motor Company's process-efficiency revolution, this episode equips Sales Leaders with practical, actionable steps to sharpen their team's focus and eliminate the day-to-day chaos that drags down performance.Key Takeaways:Time management fuels Sales Growth, consistency, and customer experience.Sales teams MUST use their calendars as non-negotiable planning tools.Power Hours create deep work blocks that move deals forward faster.A CRM should guide workflow—not just store information.Every active deal needs a scheduled next step.These habits create clarity, structure, and 1% daily improvement.Time Stamps:0:00 Intro0:57 Time Management2:33 Calendars3:56 Setting Up Power Hours4:40 Making the CRM Non-Negotiable6:35 Action Items7:33 OutroTo learn more about our Coaching Program that is seriously growing our Customers sales: https://strongersalesteams.com/program/To book a time to Meet with Ben directly: https://strongersalesteams.com/strategy/This podcast helps the entrepreneur, founder, CEO, and business owner in the trade, construction and industry segments, regain focus, build confidence, and achieve measurable results through powerful sales training, effective sales strategy, and expert sales coaching—guiding every sales leader, sales manager, and sales team in mastering the sales process, optimizing the sales pipeline, and driving business growth while fostering leadership, balance, and freedom amidst overwhelm, stress, and potential burnout, creating lasting peace of mind and smarter decision making for every California business and Australia business ready to scale up with excellence in sales management.

Ken Pozek joins Jason Cassity to break down the content strategy behind his 600+ closed deals in 2025. He shares the Instagram and YouTube system that powers his conversions, the weekly Live format that keeps him consistent, and the content cadence agents can use to drive real business all year long.

Send us a textCustomers don't wait, and they don't remember who you are after they fill out three forms at 9:30 p.m. That's why this conversation zeroes in on the mechanics of modern selling for shed dealers: speed-to-lead in under 60 seconds, warm automation that follows up at least 14 times, AI call summaries that feed your ops and delivery teams, and clean attribution that finally shows which lead sources are worth the spend.We sit down with Joe and Brandon from Velocity360 to unpack how a sales-first CRM flips the usual script. Instead of piling on tools, they streamline the stack so every message lands in one place, the first contact fires instantly, and nurturing stays human and intentional. They share wins from dealers who doubled conversion rates and grew revenue by 25% in a single quarter—not by shouting louder, but by fixing the funnel leaks no one could see before: first response, follow-up discipline, and handoffs from sales to delivery.We also dig into the realities that stall teams: CRMs that take months to configure, reps who hate data entry, leadership with no visibility into what's working, and budgets wasted on channels that don't convert. The remedies are practical: white-glove setup built for the shed industry, AI that writes tight call notes automatically, integrations with configurators and marketplaces, and dashboards that show conversion by source in real time. If you've ever wondered why some dealers seem to sell on autopilot, this is the playbook.Want to turn more inquiries into installs and keep your team focused on real conversations instead of chasing ghosts? Press play, then share this with a fellow dealer. If it helps you spot one bottleneck, subscribe, leave a review, and tell us: what's your current response time—and what would 60 seconds change for you?For more information or to know more about the Shed Geek Podcast visit us at our website.Would you like to receive our weekly newsletter?  Sign up here.Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, or YouTube at the handle @shedgeekpodcast.To be a guest on the Shed Geek Podcast visit our website and fill out the "Contact Us" form.To suggest show topics or ask questions you want answered email us at info@shedgeek.com.This episodes Sponsors:Studio Sponsor: Shed ProShed SuiteIFABCardinal ManufacturingSolar Blaster Fans

THE 2026 ROADMAP: MASTERING AI FOR GROWTH Tickets Now Available! → tiquehq.com/ai Everyone wants the secret sauce to becoming a successful travel advisor…so Robin and Jennifer brought on someone who actually knows. One of the most dynamic voices in the industry, Jenn Lee joins this episode to discuss the common traits that top advisors share. You'll hear why mindset, confidence, leadership, and resilience matter just as much as destination expertise, and why thinking like a business owner isn't optional if you want to grow. Jenn also gets into the systems high-performing advisors rely on (hi, CRMs!) and how the right processes can completely transform your workload and profitability. And yes, she goes there: what to do if you love travel but aren't sure agency ownership is your forever lane. From alternate roles to niche paths, Jenn explains how you can still build a career in travel that aligns with your strengths and brings you joy. Listen now! About Jenn Lee: Jenn is a dynamic leader in the travel industry, serving as President and Chief Marketing Officer of both Travel Planners International (TPI) and its sister company, Vacation Planners. With over 30 years of experience building and managing sales teams for Fortune 500 companies including Marriott Vacation Club, Ryland Homes, and Premiere Farnell, Lee brings strategic vision and an entrepreneurial mindset to empowering independent travel advisors. Known for her "let's get it done" culture and passionate advocacy for the travel advisor community, Lee also serves on the board of the Family Travel Association. Based in Maitland, Florida, she is dedicated to elevating the travel planning experience and creating opportunities for travel professionals to thrive both personally and professionally. linkedin.com/in/jennleelovestravel Today we will cover: (02:10) Meet Jenn Lee: one of the most influential voices in the advisor community (07:40) Shifting your mindset from hobbyist to entrepreneur (16:15) The core traits of a successful advisor (32:30) How rediscovering your “why” can realign your entire business (35:35) Systems, CRMs & running a sellable business (42:15) Investing in help long before overwhelm hits (44:50) Signs agency ownership isn't your lane & what paths exist beyond it (54:05) Leaving a business isn't failure; Jennifer's story of pivoting Get the FREE Business Launch Checklist! http://www.tiquehq.com/launch?utm_source=Podcast+Episode+40&utm_medium=Podcast+Shownotes&utm_campaign=Launch+Checklist JOIN THE NICHE COMMUNITY VISIT THE TEMPLATE SHOP EXPLORE THE PROGRAMS FOLLOW ALONG ON INSTAGRAM @TiqueHQ Thanks to Our Tique Talks Sponsors: Cozy Earth - Use code COZYTIQUE for 20% off

When a bookkeeper decides to start their own bookkeeping business, their minds go to one place: getting clients. A lot of these bookkeepers naturally gravitate toward sorting out their CRM first. They want something concrete to work with so they know they're ready when a client finally signs with them… But it's putting the cart before the horse. Having your CRMs sorted out is important. But it's not the first thing you need to focus on. You need to get people warmed up to you and your offer first, and the easiest way to do that is setting up a self-sustaining marketing system. Not as easy as it sounds, right? Marketing can feel like this big, nebulous thing without a clear place to start, especially for left-brained logistical people like us. But don't fret! I'm here today to demystify marketing for you…and tell you exactly what you should be focusing on as a new bookkeeper.    EPISODE RESOURCES: Season 2 of Profits & Prosecco is HERE! Kick off your newest podcast addiction (or celebrate its return!) and listen to Episode 1 now: https://open.spotify.com/show/4dB0ZE8JaxqrkImm3Ifxrb  Sick of imposter syndrome keeping you stuck? Join the new + improved BECOME A BOOKKEEPER now: https://www.katieferro.com/become  Want a peek behind the curtain into LIBBY, my program all about what it really takes to have a simple and scalable (and successful) bookkeeping business? Get access to my free, on-demand four-part series, 6 Secrets to a Simple, Scalable Bookkeeping Business: www.katieferro.com/6-secrets Learn how to take your bookkeeping skills and turn them into a business that allows you to replace (or surpass) your corporate salary, be present for your life, and profoundly impact your clients without selling your life in the process by joining Life by the Books (LIBBY).     CONNECT WITH KATIE: Website: https://www.katieferro.com/ For first dibs (and the best prices!) on new offers from me, follow me on Instagram, then subscribe to my email list:  IG: www.instagram.com/orderlyaccountingbykatie Email Opt In: www.katieferro.com/email

If you've ever said, “I hate tech, I just want this to work,” this episode is your blueprint. Kerri M. Roberts sits down with systems and automation expert Brenda Breland of Build Business Academy and BuildDesk, who helps small business owners automate leads, follow-up, and client journeys - without needing a full-time ops or marketing team. Learn how to plug the money leaks in your follow-up, use automation that feels human, and build simple systems that let you serve your clients with excellence.They unpack the difference between AI that tries to replace you and automation that actually amplifies you, so your clients still feel seen, known, and cared for. Together, Kerri and Brenda walk through why every business, even the tiniest shop, needs a CRM from day one, what smart follow-up really looks like, and how to think through whether you're called to serve B2B, B2C, or both.Underneath all of it is a simple, biblical principle: faithful stewardship. When you care for the systems behind your business and the body God has given you, you're freed up to lead, love, and serve at a higher level. This episode will help you see where your systems may be working against you - and what to do about it before the year ends.Key TakeawaysMost small businesses are leaking money in their follow-up.Automation should amplify you, not replace you.Every business needs a CRM from day one.Content that converts starts with connection.Follow-up is the one automation you can't afford to ignore.Resources✨ HR in a Box – Your Fractional HR Partner for Small Business If you're growing a business and want to build people systems that honor your team and protect your company, HR in a Box gives you the tools, templates, and guidance you need—without the cost of a full-time HR department. From compliant hiring to performance conversations, it's designed to help you lead with clarity, integrity, and confidence. www.saltandlightadvisors.com/hrinabox

In this episode of the Rainmaker Podcast, featuring Mark Tower, Senior Institutional Sales and Marketing Professional at Asset Management One USA, delivers a comprehensive masterclass in relationship-driven sales strategy, leadership, and career longevity within the asset management industry. With 25 years of experience, Tower offers a mix of practical advice and personal anecdotes that emphasize the importance of consistency, adaptability, and authenticity in building a successful sales career.Tower shares his background growing up as the youngest of eight children in New Jersey, an experience that helped him develop strong interpersonal communication skills. After initially exploring a career in radio while studying at Boston College, he pivoted to finance after a pivotal career fair encounter led to an internship at Orbitex. This early exposure to asset management sales shaped his view of the business as deeply relational rather than purely transactional.Throughout his career, from retail wholesaling to institutional alternatives, Tower has maintained a wholesaler's mentality, centered on volume, persistence, and regular in-person meetings. He stresses that while the sales process has evolved, particularly in the post-COVID world, the fundamentals remain the same: show up, follow through, and build trust over time. Tower describes structuring his travel plans like a “milk route,” ensuring consistent visibility with clients, which builds credibility even when meetings aren't immediately productive.At Asset Management One, Tower leads a small business development team but operates within a global firm backed by Mizuho Bank and Dai-Ichi Life. He explains how even with a lean U.S. team, global coordination is key, and everyone, from operations to compliance, is considered part of the broader sales function. Internal communication is facilitated through Microsoft Teams, allowing seamless collaboration across time zones and remote work environments.Tower emphasizes the critical role of technology, particularly CRMs, in organizing and scaling a salesperson's efforts. He's a strong advocate for Salesforce, especially when integrated with tools like Dakota Marketplace, which he credits for increasing efficiency and effectiveness in prospecting and follow-ups. He believes that proper CRM usage not only supports personal productivity but also improves firm-wide communication and accountability.Leadership-wise, Tower positions himself as a “player-coach,” actively supporting his team without micromanaging. He highlights the importance of empathy, advocacy, and leading by example, whether through hands-on involvement in RFPs or making time for late-night coordination with global colleagues.For aspiring sales professionals, Tower's advice is simple but powerful: be present, be authentic, and be helpful. He encourages young professionals to prioritize face-to-face engagement, attend conferences, and resist the temptation to overly rely on digital outreach. In an era where emails and automation dominate, Tower argues that true relationship-building still requires showing up and offering genuine value.Overall, this episode delivers valuable insights into what it takes to build and maintain a successful institutional sales career in asset management. Tower's experience-driven wisdom and grounded leadership philosophy offer lessons not just for sales professionals, but for anyone navigating a relationship-intensive industry.Tired of chasing outdated leads? Book a demo to see how Dakota Marketplace simplifies your fundraising process with accurate, up-to-date investor data. 

Send us a textInnovation districts sit at the intersection of real estate, research, community building, and economic development—making them fundamentally different from most commercial enterprises. Unlike traditional organizations with a single revenue engine or operating model, innovation districts are ecosystems designed to orchestrate universities, startups, investors, public agencies, and anchor institutions within a shared physical and digital footprint. Their success depends less on transactional efficiency and more on their ability to foster collaboration, attract talent, manage long-term stakeholder relationships, and translate research and entrepreneurship into measurable economic impact. This multi-stakeholder, mission-driven structure creates unique governance, funding, and operational complexities that require purpose-built strategies rather than off-the-shelf commercial playbooks.In this episode, our host Sam Gupta discusses the top 10 CRMs for Innovation Districts in 2025. He also discusses several variables that influence the rankings of these CRMs for Innovation Districts. Finally, he shares the pros and cons of each CRM system.Video: https://youtu.be/eBYRIZZ1zJoRead: https://www.elevatiq.com/post/top-non-profit-crms/Questions for Panelists?

Is client-centricity actually holding you back? The team challenges conventional wisdom in this conversation on the account-based enterprise—a smarter, more sustainable model for growth. Courtney Baker, David DeWolf, and Mohan Rao dig into why client-first thinking often falls short, how CRMs give you a rearview mirror when you need headlights, and what it takes to shift from episodic touchpoints to proactive relationship intelligence. Pete Buer breaks down Meta's bold move to tie employee performance to AI impact—and the potential creativity crisis that could follow. Plus, catch highlights from David's LinkedIn Live with Brian Shea on spotting churn risks before they ignite. Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/t1fZKbiJCi0  https://www.knownwell.com/30days  

What Does a Perfect Bowling Game Have in Common With Top-Performing Sales Reps? Walk into a bowling alley on a Friday night, and you'll see a scene that looks like pure recreation. The crash of pins, the rumble of conversation, the squeak of shoes on the approach. But beneath all that noise is something far more serious: discipline, repetition, emotional control, and the relentless pursuit of mastery. That's the real game. And it's the exact game top performers play in sales. Selling rewards consistency, mental toughness, and the willingness to execute the fundamentals long after everyone else has checked out. When you break the sport of bowling down frame by frame, it mirrors what we teach every day at Sales Gravy. Fanatical Prospecting. Emotional control. Owning your process. Staying steady under pressure. Winning one shot at a time. Each frame reveals a truth about the way elite sellers think and operate. Frame 1: The Approach — Fanatical Prospecting In bowling, the shot starts before the ball ever moves. The routine is deliberate: same steps, same breath, same commitment. That's where consistency begins. In sales, your approach is prospecting. It's the moment you decide whether you're a professional or a hobbyist. Pros don't wait for a pipeline crisis. They build a non-negotiable daily rhythm of fanatical prospecting, exactly the way Jeb teaches it. “One more call. One more conversation. One more connection.” That mindset is your approach. That's the discipline that separates a bowler stepping onto the lane with purpose from the one sitting at the bar making excuses. You pick a target, commit, and move. Frame 2: The Lane — Owning Your Sales Process A lane looks the same every time, but it rarely plays the same. Oil patterns shift. Friction changes. Conditions evolve. Your sales process is no different. You can't control a buyer's internal politics or shifting priorities, but you can control how you move through your process. You can control your cadence, your discovery, your follow-up, and your commitment to advancing every opportunity with intention. Average sellers blame the lane. Pros read it. They ask better questions. They recognize where deals stall. They adjust without abandoning the fundamentals. The arrows exist to guide the ball; your process exists to guide you. Ignore it, and you drift straight into the gutter. Frame 3: The Ball — Your Message and the Triangle of Trust A bowler's ball is drilled to fit their hand, weighted for their style, and chosen for the conditions. Your ball is your message—your story, your questions, your ability to connect what you sell to what the buyer actually cares about. When you balance logic, emotion, and values, the ball rolls true. Most sellers throw the same generic pitch at every buyer. Pros tune their message. They refine their openings. They speak the buyer's language. Hit with too much emotion and no substance, you lose credibility. Hit with pure logic and no emotional relevance, you miss the pocket of influence. The goal is simple: strike emotion first, let logic clean up the rest. Frame 4: The Pins — Prospects, Objections, and Physics Pins obey physics. They aren't out to get you. Prospects are the same. Some fall quickly. Some require finesse. Some need a second shot. This is where many sellers unravel emotionally. They take objections personally. They turn one “no” into a story about themselves. Objections aren't judgment. They're feedback. “We're happy with our current vendor.” “Call me next quarter.” Objections are indicators, and tell you where your angle is off. Pros adjust. Ask a different question. Reframe the problem. Bring a story that hits harder. Then take another shot. The frame isn't over until you quit. Frame 5: The Shoes — Mindset and Emotional Control No one bowls in street shoes. You'll slip, lose balance, and go down hard. Your mindset is your pair of bowling shoes. Without emotional control, every call feels unstable. Every objection knocks you off center. Every tough moment spirals. Pros prepare their mind before they prepare their day. They visualize tough conversations. They decide how they'll respond to setbacks before they happen. They choose composure over reaction. A confident mind produces a confident delivery. Buyers feel both. Frame 6: The Equipment — Tech as an Amplifier, Not a Crutch Pros carry multiple balls, tape, tools—gear that helps them adjust and stay consistent. None of it bowls for them. Sales is full of tools too: CRMs, AI, sequencing engines, dialers. But tools only multiply effort. They never replace it. Weak sellers hide behind technology. Pros use it to increase conversations and stay organized. Tools help you understand the “oil pattern” of your territory. But at the end of the day, it's still you, a buyer, and a conversation. No technology closes deals for you. Frame 7: The Team — Culture and Accountability Bowling looks individual, but leagues win seasons. Behind every high average is a team pushing each other, challenging complacency, and celebrating progress. Sales is the same. Great cultures are built around coaching, accountability, and emotional safety. Teams share insights, review calls, and collaborate on tough deals. When someone hits a strike, everyone feels the lift. When someone struggles, the team rallies. You're competing, but you're not competing against each other. You're competing against your potential. Frame 8: The Scoreboard — Metrics and Truth The scoreboard doesn't lie. It doesn't care how busy you felt. It only reflects execution. Your sales scoreboard measures the same: dials, conversations, opportunities created, conversion rates. These numbers are feedback tools. High performers study them. They adjust mechanics, behavior, and cadence based on the data. You can't manage what you don't measure. Frame 9: The Follow-Through — Closing with Composure A bowler's follow-through is controlled and deliberate. The ball is gone, but the motion stays disciplined. Closing requires the same composure. Many sellers execute well early in the cycle. Then, at the moment of truth, they flinch. They rush. They soften.  Pros stay steady. They recap value clearly. They ask directly and confidently. They handle final concerns without panic. Closing is the natural output of a disciplined process. Frame 10: The Final Frame — Finishing Strong with Follow-Up The tenth frame separates casual bowlers from champions. Tired, under pressure, and out of margin for error, pros sharpen their focus. In sales, the tenth frame is follow-up. It's the week after the demo. The stalled proposal. The buyer who goes quiet. Most sellers mentally check out and tell themselves the wrong story: “If they wanted it, they'd call me.” Pros don't buy that lie. Deals are won in the follow-up—professional, relevant, value-driven persistence. That's where reliability is proven. The Game That Never Ends Sales doesn't have a perfect 300 game every time. Some days everything strikes clean. Some days you grind for spares. Some days the ball finds the gutter no matter how good your form feels. The separator is what you do next. Pros study the lane. They adjust their feet. They breathe. They get back on the approach and commit to the next shot with the same intensity as the first. So as you head into your day, think like a bowler playing the long game. Lace up your mindset. Respect your process. Choose your message with intention. Read your buyers the way pros read the lanes. Lean on your team. Track your scoreboard. And never cheat the follow-through. The pins are set. The lane is open. You've always got one more frame. Step up with purpose. Roll with confidence. And when in doubt, make one more call. Ready to take your sales game to the next frame? Build discipline, track your process, and crush your goals with the FREE Sales Gravy Goal Guide. Start mastering your results today.

Send us a textA passion project can stay pure and still pay its bills. We open the curtain on how our shed-industry podcast evolved into a practical media and consulting platform, why we invite direct competitors to the mic, and how we're formalizing a vetted network of niche experts in operations, rent-to-own, CRMs, 3D configurators, lumber, and growth leadership. The goal is simple: connect real problems to the right expertise, measure outcomes, and keep the conversation honest enough that everyone gets better.You'll hear the why behind our approach to monetization and sponsorships, including exclusivity, rigorous vetting, and a commitment to fairness even when we sell. We also share what changed our trajectory: a health scare, burnout, therapy, and an inattentive ADHD diagnosis that reframed decades of focus struggles into an attention-surplus superpower. That transparency isn't spectacle—it's strategy. When leaders stabilize, teams perform, customers feel the difference, and the entire supply chain benefits from clearer thinking and cleaner processes.We're building peer groups and roundtables where shed pros can ask hard questions, bring fresh data, and iterate on what works month after month. Education alone isn't enough; iteration compounds. If you bring niche expertise or need targeted guidance, we want to talk—because iron sharpens iron, and this industry grows faster when we learn out loud together.Subscribe, share with a colleague, and leave a review to help more shed pros find these conversations. Want in on a peer group or consulting session? Call or text 618-309-3648 or email info@sheedgeek.com.For more information or to know more about the Shed Geek Podcast visit us at our website.Would you like to receive our weekly newsletter?  Sign up here.Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, or YouTube at the handle @shedgeekpodcast.To be a guest on the Shed Geek Podcast visit our website and fill out the "Contact Us" form.To suggest show topics or ask questions you want answered email us at info@shedgeek.com.This episodes Sponsors:Studio Sponsor: Shed ProLuxGuardShed ChallengerMaking Sales Simple

CMOs face fragmented marketing spend across multiple brand portfolios. Danielle Pederson, CMO of Amaze, unified five creator-focused brands under one umbrella without losing individual brand equity. She implemented a phased taxonomy approach using "by Amaze" modifiers, consolidated three separate CRMs into HubSpot, and built a scalable architecture that allows new acquisitions to integrate immediately into the unified brand system.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Andrew Wild was Zillow's 60th employee. He spent 15 years helping build the portal giant before leading enterprise strategy at Tom Ferry, Final Offer, and now Lofty. In this unfiltered episode, James and Keith sit down with Andrew to unpack what he's learned across every corner of the real estate industry. From the evolution of portals to the rise of agentic AI, Andrew shares sharp, candid insights on where the business is headed—and what agents, brokers, and platforms need to do to stay relevant. They dig into: Why agents still matter (even with AI) How CRMs must evolve into outcome-driven ecosystems Where portals like Zillow, Realtor, and Homes.com go from here The fatal flaw in most agent follow-up systems What consolidation, lawsuits, and shifting margins really mean for the future Whether you're portal-obsessed or AI-allergic, this episode will challenge what you think you know about the next chapter of real estate. Links mentioned during the episode: https://youtu.be/SXKQSQVkL8A https://youtu.be/I4VUBMamHuY Connect with Andrew on LinkedIn. Learn more about Lofty on LinkedIn - YouTube - Facebook - Instagram - TikTok or online at lofty.com. Subscribe to Real Estate Insiders Unfiltered on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@RealEstateInsidersUnfiltered?sub_confirmation=1   To learn more about becoming a sponsor of the show, send us an email: jessica@inman.com You asked for it. We delivered. Check out our new merch! https://merch.realestateinsidersunfiltered.com/   Follow Real Estate Insiders Unfiltered Podcast on Instagram - YouTube, Facebook - TikTok. Visit us online at realestateinsidersunfiltered.com.   Link to Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/RealEstateInsidersUnfiltered Link to Instagram Page: https://www.instagram.com/realestateinsiderspod/ Link to YouTube Page: https://www.youtube.com/@RealEstateInsidersUnfiltered Link to TikTok Page: https://www.tiktok.com/@realestateinsiderspod Link to website: https://realestateinsidersunfiltered.com This podcast is produced by Two Brothers Creative. https://twobrotherscreative.com/contact/  

CMOs face fragmented marketing spend across multiple brand portfolios. Danielle Pederson, CMO of Amaze, unified five creator-focused brands under one umbrella without losing individual brand equity. She implemented a phased taxonomy approach using "by Amaze" modifiers, consolidated three separate CRMs into HubSpot, and built a scalable architecture that allows new acquisitions to integrate immediately into the unified brand system.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What would we do differently if we started our travel agency all over again today? In this episode, Whitney sits down with industry veteran Julie Lanham, President of Vacations to Remember, to explore that question. Julie brings 40 years of perspective, having built her agency from the ground up long before host agencies, online bookings, or social media existed. Together, she and Whitney unpack what they'd repeat, what they'd absolutely change, and how new advisors can learn from decades of experience. From boundaries and mentorship to CRMs and hiring support, this conversation is both reflective and refreshingly real about the evolution of running a travel business.

In this episode of the Transform Sales Podcast: Sales Software Review Series, Eddie Bello, Marketplace Specialist at CloudTask, sits down with Preston Zeller, Chief Growth Officer at BatchService, to reveal how BatchLeads lets real‑estate pros zero in on motivated sellers and beat competitors to the deal. BatchLeads blends nationwide property data, AI‑driven seller “motivation” scores, and built‑in skip tracing to deliver hyper‑targeted lead lists in minutes. One click pulls owner phone & email, auto‑updates property records, and lets you call, text, mail, or power‑dial without leaving the platform no more juggling spreadsheets, CRMs, and third‑party data vendors. The result? Higher right‑party contact rates, cleaner pipelines, and faster closed transactions for investors, wholesalers, and agents alike. Try BatchLeads here: https://software.cloudtask.com/batch-services-734e83 #TransformSales #SalesSoftware #BatchLeads #RealEstateData #MotivatedSellers #PropTech

Key Highlights from the Episode:0:00 – Introduction0:44 – Future-proofing your CRM and architecting for scalability2:23 – Why most CRMs fail when firms grow5:08 – AI in CRMs: more than just dashboards10:34 – Inside “Elite Genie” and how it supports advisors11:48 – Why your CRM is really a data warehouse14:05 – Integration-first architecture for efficiency and scale25:19 – Data hygiene: the foundation of advisor valuations33:15 – Overcoming skepticism around AI adoption38:08 – A roadmap to future-proofing your tech stackResources:Elite Consulting Partners | Financial Advisor Transitions: https://eliteconsultingpartners.comElite Marketing Concepts | Marketing Services for Financial Advisors: https://elitemarketingconcepts.comElite Advisor Successions | Advisor Mergers and Acquisitions: https://eliteadvisorsuccessions.comJEDI Database Solutions | Data Intelligence for Advisors: https://jedidatabasesolutions.comListen to more Advisor Talk episodes: https://eliteconsultingpartners.com/podcasts/Follow us on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/eliteconsultingpartners

Combining five creator brands into one unified platform creates customer confusion and fragmented marketing spend. Danielle Pederson, CMO of Amaze, led the consolidation of five distinct creator commerce solutions under one corporate umbrella without losing individual brand equity. She implemented a phased taxonomy approach using "by Amaze" modifiers, unified three separate CRMs into HubSpot, and created a scalable framework that allows new acquisitions to integrate immediately into the brand architecture.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Send us a textWhen evaluating the top 10 large-company CRMs in 2025, it's essential to ground the discussion in how we define this segment: organizations with more than 5,000 employees and over $1 billion in annual revenue, representing the true enterprise tier. Unlike startups, small businesses, or even mid-sized firms, large enterprises operate with global scale, complex geographic footprints, and deeply layered organizational structures that demand far more from their CRM systems. Their priorities include advanced territory and quota management, multi-layered sales and service planning, global data consolidation, and strict compliance with regulations across multiple jurisdictions. As a result, CRMs designed for this tier aren't simply expanded versions of mid-market solutions—they are built with entirely different architectural assumptions, offering deeper configurability, stronger governance controls, more sophisticated integration frameworks, and data models engineered to support highly interconnected business units operating across regions, languages, currencies, and regulatory environments.In this episode, our host Sam Gupta discusses the top 10 Large Non-Profit CRMs in 2025. He also discusses several variables that influence the rankings of these Large Non-Profit CRMs. Finally, he shares the pros and cons of each CRM system.Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFtzoHQiqfgRead: https://www.elevatiq.com/post/top-non-profit-crms/Questions for Panelists?

In this episode of The Profit Cleaners Podcast, Brandon Schoen and Brandon Condrey introduce BunnyBid, the first official app in the new CleanStack suite. Built from eight years of real operational data, proven pricing formulas, and the original Profit Cleaners matrix, BunnyBid is designed to help cleaning business owners generate fast, accurate, and profitable quotes — every single time.The episode walks through how BunnyBid streamlines the entire quoting process: from configuring market wages and cleaner pay, to instantly calculating job times, margins, and profitability. The Brandons explain how the tool replaces spreadsheets, eliminates guesswork, ensures consistency across all quotes, and helps users follow up faster — all crucial components of winning more jobs in today's competitive market.You will also learn about upcoming integrations with leading CRMs, built-in AI tools for generating quote descriptions, and additional features that help businesses track winning price points and optimize performance over time. They also reveal the broader CleanStack AI roadmap and preview ShineProof, the next app designed to automate before-and-after social content.This episode provides a detailed look at how BunnyBid can immediately upgrade your quoting workflow, enhance professionalism, improve accuracy, and support sustainable growth for cleaning businesses at any stage.Listen now!

Combining five creator brands into one unified platform creates customer confusion and fragmented marketing spend. Danielle Pederson, CMO of Amaze, led the consolidation of five distinct creator commerce solutions under one corporate umbrella without losing individual brand equity. She implemented a phased taxonomy approach using "by Amaze" modifiers, unified three separate CRMs into HubSpot, and created a scalable framework that allows new acquisitions to integrate immediately into the brand architecture.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, we continue our conversation on building a resilient business by focusing on shared ownership, redundancy, and smart automation. We talk about how to empower your team to make decisions, centralize knowledge and access, and design systems that don't fall apart when one person steps away. We also explore the mindset shift from being the hero of every story to building a brand and team that clients can trust, not just a single person. Ultimately, we challenge ourselves and you to design a business that supports your health, family, and future, instead of constantly taking from you. Main topics: Culture of shared ownership Redundancy across people and systems Centralizing knowledge and access Smart automation for pet businesses Designing business around your life Main takeaway: "Build your business around the life you want, not the life that you are stuck in." So many pet sitters and dog walkers feel trapped by the very business they created. The schedule, the emergencies, the hundreds of tiny tasks all add up until you feel like the only thing holding everything together. In this episode, we talk about what it looks like to flip that script—to design your business so it supports your health, your family, and your future. We walk through building shared ownership with your team, adding redundancy so you're not the only one who knows how to do critical tasks, and using automation to take work off your plate. If you're tired of feeling like the business is taking from you, this conversation will help you start building one that gives back. Links: Get 1 NAPPS/PSI CEU FOR LISTENING TO EPISODES 648 AND 650 Examples pet business CRMs mentioned: Time To Pet: https://www.timetopet.com PetBiz CRM: https://www.petbizcrm.com Automation / tools referenced: Zapier: https://www.zapier.com Asana: https://www.asana.com  Google Drive: https://www.google.com/drive  Dropbox: https://www.dropbox.com Check out our Starter Packs See all of our discounts! Check out ProTrainings Code: CPR-petsitterconfessional for 10% off

Send us a textWhen evaluating the top 10 mid-sized CRMs in 2025, it's important to anchor the discussion in how we define the mid-sized market: organizations with roughly 100 to 5,000 employees and annual revenues from about $100 million to $1 billion. While some vendors might loosely label this range as enterprise, its operational profile aligns more closely with a true mid-sized segment—complex enough to require mature workflows, multi-layer security, and structured organizational planning, yet not burdened by the extreme global compliance, multinational consolidation, or governance demands seen in large enterprises. This tier sits squarely between the lightweight needs of startups and small businesses and the heavy global operational requirements of enterprise firms. As a result, CRM systems built for mid-sized organizations strike a deliberate balance: they offer richer data models, stronger automation, and more advanced capabilities than systems targeted at smaller businesses, without introducing the excessive overhead or architectural rigidity common in enterprise-focused platforms.In this episode, our host Sam Gupta discusses the top 10 Mid-Sized Non-Profit CRMs in 2025. He also discusses several variables that influence the rankings of these Mid-Sized Non-Profit CRMs. Finally, he shares the pros and cons of each CRM system.Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLnUew0p7iURead: https://www.elevatiq.com/post/top-non-profit-crms/Questions for Panelists?

Are you grinding every day but still not getting any closer to your next storage deal? Most investors don't fail because they're lazy, they fail because they spend their time on the wrong things. In this episode, Alex Pardo breaks down the exact busy work that keeps new and experienced investors stuck,  and the surprisingly simple actions that actually get deals done. In this episode, Alex pulls real questions from the Storage Wins private community and shows you how to cut through distractions, focus on revenue-generating activity, and finally start making traction. If you've been hiding behind spreadsheets, systems, and getting ready, this is the wake-up call you need. You'll Learn How To: Focus your time on activities that actually get you deals Use cold calling the right way and why Saturdays are a secret weapon Ask owners the only two numbers you need to underwrite any facility Follow up like a pro, so you never lose a deal that should've been yours Simplify your process so you stop hiding behind CRMs and start taking action What You'll Learn in This Episode: [00:00] The truth about busy wor" and why it kills momentum [01:00] The cold-calling schedule that separates you from your competition [04:00] The two pieces of info you need to underwrite any deal [08:00] Why follow-up is the real reason deals get done [12:00] How to stop hiding behind CRMs and start doing the real work [20:00] The mindset shift that helps you finally buy your first or next facility Who This Episode Is For: New investors trying to get their first facility but feeling stuck Operators who feel busy every day but aren't seeing real progress Anyone overwhelmed with systems and information instead of action Why You Should Listen: If you've been spinning your wheels, this episode will show you exactly where your time is leaking, and how to fix it today. You'll walk away knowing what actually moves the needle in storage, how to simplify your process, and how to create real momentum instead of false productivity. This is the clarity most investors never get, and the reason many never buy a single facility. Follow Alex Pardo here: Alex Pardo Website: https://alexpardo.com/ Alex Pardo Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alexpardo15 Alex Pardo Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexpardo25 Alex Pardo YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AlexPardo Storage Wins Website: https://storagewins.com/ Have conversations with at least three to give storage owners, brokers, private lenders, and equity partners through the Storage Wins Facebook group. Join for free by visiting this link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/322064908446514/