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In this episode of Restauranttopia, Brian and Dave dig into one of the most overlooked — yet most powerful — tools in restaurant operations: employee appreciation. Customer appreciation gets plenty of attention, but retaining great staff requires consistent, genuine recognition. With hiring still competitive and turnover costly, this episode focuses on simple, legal, and meaningful ways restaurant owners and managers can show gratitude that actually sticks. No big budgets. No complicated programs. Just practical ideas you can implement immediately. What You'll Learn in This Episode • Why employee appreciation directly impacts retention Entry-level and frontline staff can find work quickly. Feeling valued is often the deciding factor in whether they stay. • "See something, say something" Recognize exceptional behavior in real time. Celebrating what you want repeated drives culture faster than any policy. • Public vs. private recognition From one-on-one praise to team shout-outs and recognition boards, learn how visibility can reinforce positive behaviors across the entire staff. • Take a walk (and talk) Getting out of the office and onto the floor builds trust, uncovers issues early, and creates real connection with your team. • The power of surprise Small, unexpected gestures — gift cards, quality swag, handwritten notes — often mean more than formal programs. • Remember the little things Birthdays, family milestones, tough personal moments — being human builds loyalty faster than bonuses alone. • Safety, parking, and working conditions matter Employee appreciation isn't just praise — it's making sure staff feel safe, supported, and respected every shift. • Handwritten notes as a leadership habit Brian shares how building thank-you notes into a weekly routine creates lasting impact with minimal effort. Key Takeaway Employee appreciation doesn't have to be expensive or complicated — it just has to be intentional and consistent. The little things done regularly can dramatically improve morale, culture, and retention. Hosts Brian Seitz & Dave Ross Restauranttopia — honest conversations to help independent restaurant owners operate smarter and stronger. Resources Visit Restaurantopia.com to explore more episodes, submit questions, or share feedback.
The reality is that 80% of handwritten notes will get thrown away. The remaining 20% will quietly love them, save them, cherish them , or reciprocate by responding back. This applies to customers, spouses, kids, grandkids and friends. I would much rather put a smile on the 20% audience who appreciates receiving a heartfelt message. What about you? We invite you to go a little “old school” by exploring the magic of handwritten notes.Support the show
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In the last episode of 2025, Co-hosts Mark Thompson and Steve Little present their predictions for how artificial intelligence will transform genealogy research in 2026. This special episode examines fourteen key trends shaping the future of family history AI.Mark and Steve predict that AI tools will move from enthusiast circles into mainstream genealogy practice, with AI-enhanced apps like NotebookLM becoming more important than the underlying language models that people have focused on for the past three years.They explore how handwritten text recognition will become more accurate and accessible, and that genealogy companies will cautiously integrate new AI features, first focusing on helping us with our research.Timestamps:02:33 Family History AI Goes Mainstream: From Enthusiasts to Everyday Users04:13 Apps Over Models: Why Platform Features Matter More Than LLMs06:17 Reusable Prompting Tools: GPTs, Projects, and Gems Boost Efficiency08:02 AI-Enhanced Research Gains Acceptance Among Serious Genealogists09:53 Handwritten Text Recognition Gets Better, Easier, and Cheaper12:18 Genealogy Companies Take Cautious Approach to Generative AI17:07 AI-Enhanced Browsers Become Standard, Agentic Features Raise Concerns24:25 Voice Interfaces to AI Remain Niche in 202627:36 LLM Vendors Push File and Email Integration for Stickiness31:46 Productivity Tools Embed LLMs Everywhere35:56 The AI Horse Race: Three Leaders Emerge41:15 AI Licensing Deals Change Internet Access Patterns44:34 The AI Bubble Conversation is important to society, but less so to GenealogistsResource Links:The Family History AI Show Academy https://tixoom.app/fhaishowFamily History AI Goes MainstreamWhat Can AI Do for Your Genealogical Research? – James Tanner (Nov 2025) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXmVKy1pUPEFamilySearch Shares Plans for 2025 (Includes AI integration details) https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/familysearch-shares-plans-for-2025Reusable Prompting ToolsCustom GPTs vs. Gemini Gems: Who Wins? - Learn Prompting (Aug 2025) https://learnprompting.org/blog/custom-gpts-vs-gemini-gemsAI-Enhanced ResearchUnlocking Family Histories: How AI Is Breathing New Life into Handwritten Records (South Central APG)https://southcentralapg.org/2025/08/16/unlocking-family-histories-how-ai-is-breathing-new-life-into-handwritten-records/Handwritten Text RecognitionA new Google model is nearly perfect on automated handwriting recognition - Hacker News https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45887262Cautious AI from Genealogy CompaniesAI-Enhanced BrowsersCompliance alert: Do not use AI browsershttps://vinciworks.com/blog/compliance-alert-do-not-use-ai-browsers/Content Integration with ChatbotsGemini vs Copilot: A Quick Comparison Guide (2025) - Tactiqhttps://tactiq.io/learn/gemini-vs-copilotAI in Office Productivity ToolsMicrosoft Copilot in 2025: What's Changed & What's Next | Aldridgehttps://aldridge.com/microsoft-copilot-in-2025-whats-changed-whats-next/Monthly Round Up: New Features in Microsoft 365 Copilot (Dec 2025)https://dynamicscommunities.com/ug/copilot-ug/monthly-round-up-new-features-in-microsoft-365-copilot/The AI Horse RaceThe Best AI in October 2025? We Compared ChatGPT, Claude, Grok, Gemini & Others - FelloAIhttps://felloai.com/the-best-ai-in-october-2025-we-compared-chatgpt-claude-grok-gemini-others/The 2025 AI Coding Models: Comprehensive Guide to the Top 5 Contenders - CodeGPThttps://www.codegpt.co/blog/ai-coding-models-2025-comprehensive-guideAI Licensing DealsContent Licensing Agreements Will Concentrate Markets Without Standardized Access - ProMarket(Nov 2025) https://www.promarket.org/2025/11/20/content-licensing-agreements-will-concentrate-markets-without-standardized-access/The False Hope of Content Licensing at Internet Scale - ProMarkethttps://www.promarket.org/2025/11/19/the-false-hope-of-content-licensing-at-internet-scale/The AI Bubble ConversationThe AI boom will turn to bust in 2026https://www.marketwatch.com/story/the-ai-boom-will-turn-to-bust-next-year-says-this-forecaster-who-offers-his-trade-of-the-year-9c2a2332OUTLOOK 2026 Promise and Pressure - J.P. Morgan (Discusses AI market stability vs bubble risks)https://www.jpmorgan.com/content/dam/jpmorgan/documents/wealth-management/outlook-2026.pdfTags:Artificial Intelligence, Genealogy, Family History, AI Predictions, NotebookLM, HTR, AI Browsers, ChatGPT, Google Gemini, Anthropic Claude
I'm Josh Kopel, a Michelin-awarded restaurateur and the creator of the Restaurant Scaling System. I've spent decades in the industry, building, scaling, and coaching restaurants to become more profitable and sustainable. On this show, I cut through the noise to give you real, actionable strategies that help independent restaurant owners run smarter, more successful businesses.Today I dig into what customer loyalty really means and why so many programs miss the mark. Loyalty is not about discounts. It is about access, recognition, and the feeling of being valued. I break down how small moments of surprise and genuine connection can drive more repeat visits than any points system. If you want your guests to come back more often and spend more when they do, these strategies will help you build relationships that last. TakeawaysLoyalty should be about access, not just perks.Recognition is key to building emotional equity.Surprise elements in loyalty programs enhance customer engagement.Creating thresholds in loyalty fosters a sense of belonging.Handwritten notes can significantly improve customer relationships.Loyalty programs should focus on privilege rather than discounts.Emotional economics can drive customer loyalty effectively.Regulars should feel special through personalized experiences.Surprise and delight can differentiate your restaurant from competitors.Tracking changes in loyalty strategies can reveal valuable insights.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Hospitality Insights01:26 Rethinking Customer Loyalty05:48 Creating Emotional Connections with GuestsIf you've got a marketing or profitability related question for me, email me directly at josh@joshkopel.com and include Office Hours in the subject line. If you'd like to scale the profitability of your restaurant in only 5 days, sign up for our FREE 5 Day Restaurant Profitability Challenge by visiting https://joshkopel.com.
Bill Lampton: Hi there. Welcome to The Biz Communication Show. I’m your host, Bill Lampton, the biz communication guy, bringing you business communication tips and strategies that will elevate your business. And I don’t do this solo. I do it through a lively conversation with a communication expert who has excelled in business. And I’m very happy today to welcome Elizabeth Cottrell from Woodstock, Virginia. Elizabeth’s career path has been, I’ll definitely underscore this, anything but straight. With a graduate degree in human anatomy, she has been a leprosy researcher, published scientist, wife, mother, grandmother, community leader, and yes, there’s more. Freelance writer, desktop publisher, musician, and amateur radio operator. Since 2016, she has also served as the first woman to chair First National Corporation and First Bank in its 118-year history. Elizabeth is the author of Heartspoken: How to Write Notes that Connect, Comfort, Encourage, and Inspire. And it’s a terrific book. I’ve given it a five-star review on Amazon and I encourage everyone to order that book. Elizabeth speaks and writes widely about the lost art of personal notes through her Heartspoken movement. She encourages people to use note writing as a powerful way to strengthen relationships with family, friends, clients, employees, and donors alike. So I know that you will join me in welcoming Elizabeth Cottrell. Hello Elizabeth. Elizabeth Cottrell: Hello Dr. Bill. What a treat to be here. I’ve been looking forward to this. Bill Lampton: So have I and I know in the meantime you’ve been writing a lot of meaningful notes. Elizabeth Cottrell: I I do my best. I do try to practice what I preach. Bill Lampton: I want to ask you with that, yes, not a straight path career, with all that I just described, it certainly takes strong business communication skills. So I’m curious, where did you and how did you develop the communication skills that have put you even as a as an image breaker in the banking industry? Did you have courses? Did you have coaches or explore on your own? What what was the your path to the incredible wide range of business success that you’ve had? Elizabeth Cottrell: What a great question and and it took me um I’m I’m going down memory lane here but I mean I have to give my father tremendous credit, Jim Herbert, who lived to age 95. Um I’m the oldest of five, uh, and he came from a family of strong women, so he believed in me and my sister and that we could do anything our brothers could do. And, um, and Bill, he taught us, and I hope nobody thinks this is trivial because I think it’s extremely important, he taught us to hop up when somebody came in the room, to shake, shake their hand with a firm handshake, and look them in the eye. And he made us practice handshake because how often have all of us in business scenarios shaken hands with somebody who either had a very unimpressive handshake or broke our hand because it was so strong? So, um, I I think those are the those are the two things that immediately come to mind. But, um, I think he also had a philosophy which I think is really interesting for all of us children. He believed, he said, you don’t need I don’t need to teach you to be the best at anything, but I want to teach you how to do a lot of different things so that if somebody invites you to go water skiing, to go hiking, to go canoeing, you won’t have to say, oh, I don’t know how, I don’t want to do that. And so he gave us confidence in a whole wide range of things that I think then I took that into my later life. Bill Lampton: That’s a blessing and and so you had 96 years of valuable advice from your father. Elizabeth Cottrell: Absolutely. And and then I would have to say in terms of applying, um, that confidence later on to anybody I would any young person I would say is be yourself. We talked about this before we went live. Be yourself, um, show up, and be prepared. And those who have served me well. Bill Lampton: You remind me so much of my childhood because my father managed a department store. And he taught me, and he taught my brother, that when we came back from out of town when we’d become adults even, that it and we came into the store, we were to shake hands with every employee. Elizabeth Cottrell: Ah. Bill Lampton: We were to talk with them about what was going on with them, not what was going on with us. And early in my 20s, that was at first a little bit challenging and maybe awkward, but it it became something after a while. It was so rewarding to to renew contact with people in that store. Maybe if I hadn’t seen some of them in a couple of years, I’ve lived away. So, the the initial contact is is so valuable, and it’s as you say, the handshake is important because Elizabeth Cottrell: It is. Bill Lampton: just walking by and waving or but the handshake and and the right firmness of the handshake, that is that’s a signal of a closer relationship that you want, a closer interaction that Elizabeth Cottrell: It is. And I will add that I also, in a networking situation, will always say my name, even if I’m pretty sure they know it already, because we all have been in situations where um it just slips our mind what the other person’s name is. And my my dad again used to say, well you know you you know your name, usually they know theirs, but not always. Bill Lampton: Well, yes, I’ve I’ve uh of course in the last three decades I’ve been an entrepreneur. I’ve been to many, many networking events. And sometimes when you’ve been going to the same networking event, say a chamber of commerce for a year or so, you’ve met a good number of people. But when you walk into the room of all 100 or 150 at a reception, you just might not remember every name. Elizabeth Cottrell: That’s exactly right. Bill Lampton: But if you walk up and say, “Hi, I’m Elizabeth Cottrell,” or “Hi, I’m Bill Lampton,” they almost automatically will give their name. Elizabeth Cottrell: Yeah. Yeah. That’s a great a great tip. Bill Lampton: There’s something that I came across, I believe it was in your book, where you talked about there was a surprise incident that you had that really led to what I would call your mission that you’ve been engaged in so actively, not just writing a book but speaking and leading seminars and coaching people. And that’s your mission about our writing handwritten notes and letters. What was that event that got you on this track, Elizabeth? Elizabeth Cottrell: Oh, it it makes me emotional just thinking about it. Um, so Dr. Bill, I am of an age that I was taught to write notes. It was it was considered good manners and it was considered um it was expected. And I always thought of it that way, but um the day that I got a letter from a stranger was the day that it shifted my whole thinking. And that letter came from a woman who had lost her son to suicide. And I didn’t know the woman, I didn’t know her son, but I knew her son’s fiancée and had been so um saddened to learn about it and had written to the fiancée a note. Dr. Bill, if I had $100 to know what I said, I’d like to know, because I but I don’t. But whatever it was, the the young woman shared it with her fiancée’s mother. And that woman wrote to me and she said, “I’ve read your note over 25 times and it has helped me through the toughest time in my whole life.” And and like a light bulb going off in my head, it or a lightning bolt, it made me realize that a handwritten note has the potential to be so much more than just good manners. And that really was the beginning. It planted the seed. It was a while before some of the other things happened, but that planted the seed that put me on the trajectory of where I am now. Bill Lampton: It’s a marvelous impact. And I I often I write about all types of business communication, and of course, business people are going to face the loss by death of some of their associates. It might be people they work with, it might be people they work for. And I’ve often heard people say, “Well, I would go to that reception at the funeral. I would but I wouldn’t know what to say.” And I use an illustration. There was a friend of mine who died uh about two years ago and there were over, I would imagine, there were over 400 people at his funeral. And the reception went on two and a half hours with the family greeting people. Now, did the family remember anyone thing that anybody said? No. It didn’t matter what they said because these are cases where your your presence means so much. Elizabeth Cottrell: Absolutely. Bill Lampton: And then again, in those cases, a week or two later, writing what that person meant to you, that’s that’s a great reinforcement, isn’t it? Elizabeth Cottrell: It absolutely is. And and Dr. Bill, I’ll tell you another story that is on a happier end of things, but it’s a kind of a note that some people don’t think about. My husband is a retired physician, and, um, when we first came, when he was a young physician, there was a pharmacist, um, who had been in the area for ages. And about 10 years after we my husband started his practice, that pharmacist retired. And my husband wrote him a note to congratulate him on his retirement. And he also mentioned in it, um, and it was actually a letter, um, rather than a note. But he said, um, “And I want you to know that I I know from from my patients how often you would deliver medicine to them at night and on the weekends and I and I also want you to know that I remember the time that I made a mistake writing a prescription and you called me and said, ‘Doc, is this I just wanted to check and make sure this was something that you meant to do.'” Well, fortunately, that pharmacist had many years of happy retirement before he passed. And, um, my husband and I went to the funeral home and barely walked in the door before the oldest daughter, grown daughter, came rushing up to give my husband a hug and said, “Dr. Cottrell, I just want you to know that when we were going through Daddy’s things, we found your letter and it was in his Bible.” And not only that, but they had passed it around their family and so all of the grown children and all of those grandchildren now know what kind of a man their grandfather was or their father that they wouldn’t have known before. Bill Lampton: I guess it was probably, Elizabeth, and thank you for that. Thank you for that. I guess it was, um, maybe a year ago I was rummaging through my office closet and I found something that I didn’t even know existed. It was a letter from my grandfather to me when I was a kid at camp, summer camp. Elizabeth Cottrell: My! Bill Lampton: And I I didn’t Elizabeth Cottrell: What a treasure. Bill Lampton: Yes, and I I did not remember ever getting that letter. Of course, I was pre-teen at the time, maybe that’s one reason. But it it gave me a totally different picture of him because I had I had always thought of him as rather austere and reserved, but the letter was so warm, and I’m I’m sharing that letter with my daughters and my brother, so that our our letters are really our legacy, aren’t they? Elizabeth Cottrell: They are. They certainly can be. They certainly can be. But, but we needn’t let that burden us or make us think that that when we’re writing something it’s going to be a legacy. We just need to be um sincere and um not worry about the outcome but just let people know you care. Bill Lampton: Right. That’s that’s the key. We’re going to talk next about how you broke that glass ceiling and became the head of a bank, unprecedented. We’ll talk about that. Be back in just a few seconds. Bill Lampton (Voiceover): Do you wish you felt confident about giving speeches? Do you want to deal with difficult people constructively? And what about becoming more persuasive in sales? Then keep listening now to Dr. Bill Lampton. He spent 20 years in management so he knows1 the communication skills you need for success. I urge you to call The Biz Communication Guy today for a no-cost but very valuable 30-minute discussion about your communication challenges. Call now, 678-316-43002. Again, that’s 678-316-4300. Bill Lampton: Elizabeth Cottrell, as we said in the introduction, you overcame a stereotype by becoming head of a bank, very rare, a trailblazing woman doing that. So I think you could give us some great business communication advice on how do we overcome stereotypes? How do we break through them? One of the the best, uh, best definitions that I’ve heard of stereotypes is that a stereotype is the hardening of the categories. [Elizabeth chuckles] So what did you do to make it viable, make it even attractive, make it winsome, that you would become head of a bank? Elizabeth Cottrell: Dr. Bill, I I we jumped the gun a little bit, um, in our earlier conversation by saying I was myself, and I showed up, and I was prepared. So those three things are really important. But I would also say I didn’t pay attention to the stereotypes. And again, I was blessed with being raised with that kind of confidence and not worrying about that. Um, but I just I think when you care, when you are, you have a servant heart, when when you, um, become known for somebody that is community oriented, um, and at the time, and I will I will say this because I have no shame in it. Uh it was a time when finally people were waking up that they needed more women on boards and they needed more women in leadership positions. And so there were some savvy men, um, looking around to see who, who would fit that bill. And so, um, in some time in some ways I was at the right place at the right time. But, um, I do think it it you just need to not worry about that and just show up and be yourself and do your best. Bill Lampton: Thank you for that. I, um, I know that we all have stereotypes that we have to break through in the business world. You’re too young to be promoted. You’re you’re uh, don’t have the proper degrees. You haven’t been here long enough. I know growing up, I had to overcome a stereotype. I’m an identical twin. And there was an automatic assumption when people would see us as little boys that we were exactly alike and that we wanted the same things. We enjoyed the same things. And that even went on into adult life where we went different directions professionally, we had different ideas. So I’ve I’ve lived with having to establish my own individuality. And every one of us in some way or another has stereotypes that we have to overcome. And I’m sure that’s that’s certainly true with those who are job seeking and it’s true with those who are, um, looking for promotions as well. Let’s talk about your book, which is so valuable. Heartspoken: How to Write Notes that Connect, Comfort, Encourage, and Inspire. Tell us, what drove you to write the book and how would it help readers who would get it today? Elizabeth Cottrell: Wow. Thank you, Dr. Bill. Um, so as I started, as I from the story we told earlier, as I became more passionate about writing notes, I kept hearing from people to whom I had written, “Oh, that was such a lovely note. Thank you so much. I wish I knew what to write.” And then some people might have said, well, you know, “How can you help me know what to write?” And finally, I somebody said, “I wish you’d write a book about that.” And that planted a seed, but again, too busy to do anything about it until March, April 2020, when the world shut down from COVID. And that April, I turned 75—uh, 70, sorry. Let’s not make me any older than I am. Bill Lampton: [Chuckles] Elizabeth Cottrell: Um, and my daughter called me for my birthday from New Mexico and she said, “Mom, I know your calendar has gone from completely full to completely empty, just like everybody else’s, and I want you to write that book.” And she didn’t stop there. She said, “And for your birthday, I’m giving you time with a friend of mine who’s an accountability coach.” Well, I had never heard of an accountability coach. But that young woman called me every week for several weeks and to know what I had done and what I was going to do before she called the following week. And because of my daughter’s belief in me and her actually putting her money where her mouth was, I wrote the book that first year of COVID and then figured out what to do with it the next year. So, that’s how it happened. Um, and and as far as, um, I had What has happened since then has just been so amazing to me because I was thinking about people like myself when I wrote it. What I had not anticipated was, um, is the sales professionals and fundraising professionals who have picked it up and realized, “Oh, my goodness, this is something that can help set me apart.” So that’s been a delightful journey to discover that whole group of people that I had not expected, even though I wrote a chapter called Take It to the Office, um, but I had not really identified which groups would really resonate with it. Bill Lampton: Well, that that certainly rings a bell with me because before I became a uh professional speaker, seminar director, communication consultant, I spent two decades in fundraising with colleges, universities, and health care. Had I been able to read your book then and recognize the value of follow-up notes, I’m sure it would have it would have been greater impact than other items that I did as as follow-up. Elizabeth, tell us. Excuse me. Go ahead. Elizabeth Cottrell: No, I I I may be anticipating your question, but I I think that what I really wanted people to to take away from it was not you must do this or you should do this, but to understand the power of connection. And this is what the Heartspoken Movement is all about. And it came from Dr. Brené Brown is a social scientist and in one of her famous TED Talks, she made the comment, “We are hardwired for connection.” And as I thought about that, and I thought about the connections in my life that were important, I realized that this is a just a tool. There are many other tools, but this is just a tool, but but one that is so often overlooked and one that is so often underrated. And so that is, um, that is what I wanted people to take away is to have the come away with confidence and inspiration rather than obligation. Bill Lampton: And the book is available on Amazon. I’ve reviewed it there. There are many positive reviews and I certainly encourage those who are with us either watching or listening to the podcast. I certainly encourage you to get Heartspoken. You know, again, before we started recording live, we talked about you don’t need anything fancy. You don’t need a full sheet, this is the size card that I have. And as we also said, you don’t have to you don’t have to write 30 lines. There’s not room for 30 lines on here. And if you write the uh as you put it, Heartspoken two sentences, um, that that will carry it’s not the amount, it’s it’s what you call that feeling. If you if you get the feeling yourself and you get it across in a handwritten private, personal message, that, as you say, is powerful, great. Elizabeth Cottrell: Absolutely. Absolutely, absolutely. And and your example is so perfect because when you have some stationery cards already printed up, um, it and all you have to do is grab them and add that note. You’re much more inclined to do it. When we make things easy for ourself, whether it’s to go to the gym by putting your shoes and your gym bag out the night before or having that stationery and pen right where you can grab them, those that makes a makes a big difference. Bill Lampton: I thought of you about three or four days ago. I was invited to lunch at a friend’s house. Uh, he’s really a friend of my brother, but I had known this man and his wife a little bit over the years. But we had a wonderful couple of hours lunch on a Sunday afternoon, and as I was driving away, I was thinking, Elizabeth Cottrell wants me to write a follow-up thank-you note. Elizabeth Cottrell: [Chuckles] And you were right. Bill Lampton: Don’t just text, don’t just email, but as you and I have noticed before, everybody, and that’s a pretty inclusive term, but I can practically say everybody every day, you go to the mailbox, there are all kinds of flyers and promotional, and if you get a personal item, you’ll open that first. You might not open the others at all, but certainly, if there’s anything you’re going to open, it’s that personal handwritten message, isn’t it? Elizabeth Cottrell: Absolutely. Absolutely, absolutely. And and it’s not only are you going to open it first, you’re much more likely to save it and reread it. Bill Lampton: Yes. Elizabeth Cottrell: Elizabeth Cottrell, what a privilege, pleasure, learning experience, uplifting motivation, our conversation has been. I know that there are our viewers and listeners who want to get in touch with you, so please give us your contact information. Elizabeth Cottrell: Thank you, Dr. Bill, sure. I would say the easiest thing is is www.heartspoken.com. Um, and that has all of my contact information and all of the things that I’m that I’m up to. And and may I just add, um, we talk a lot about handwritten notes, and there is no doubt if you know me and read my book, you know how much that means to me, but messages of all kinds can be Heartspoken. Telephone messages, text messages, emails can be Heartspoken. So I am not opposed to technology. There’s a place for everything, but make it Heartspoken. Bill Lampton: Amen. And thank you for that contact information. I encourage people to get in touch with you. And now I would like to invite you to my YouTube channel. Bill Lampton, Ph.D. is the way you will find it. [Text overlay: My YouTube Channel is Bill Lampton, Ph.D.] And I’ve been recording instructional videos on YouTube since 2007. I do not encourage you to look at any of the early ones. But in in recent years, I now have over 700 instructional videos on there. And guess what? It’s everybody’s favorite word: it’s free. And while you go to my YouTube channel, I certainly invite you to subscribe. And then as well, my website, since I’m The Biz Communication Guy, bizcommunicationguy.com. [Text overlay: https://bizcommunicationguy.com] And while you’re on the website, you can subscribe to the podcast. I definitely will welcome phone calls with no initial obligation [Text overlay: Call me 678-316-4300] to discuss your communication needs and challenges and how I or someone I know can assist you with them. I also want to give credit to the co-producer of The Biz Communication Show. It’s Mike Stewart, who’s based in Nashville. [Text overlay: https://localinternetpresence.com] Elizabeth talked earlier about getting the right coaches. In one case, it was her daughter, as well. But Mike Stewart, as in 1997, when I became an entrepreneur, I met Mike Stewart and he said, “Have you got a website?” And we took it from there. And I’ve worked with him ever since and he’s the guy who took a novice, a real rookie in technology, and he taught me what I needed to know. And then I also encourage you to look at his website, localinternetpresence.com. Elizabeth, I want to thank you again for being with us today. Appreciate it so much. Elizabeth Cottrell: It was my privilege. I just loved it and and I love have meeting a kindred spirit. Bill Lampton: Yes, we are kindred spirits, and and I think back to in our generation, as say teenagers, I don’t know how you met the doctor, but I I remember I met a hometown girl, but then I went away to school. I was I was the old guy. I was two and a half years older. And how do we keep in touch? We kept in touch by letters. Elizabeth Cottrell: Oh, yes. Absolutely. Bill Lampton: And Elizabeth Cottrell: Absolutely. Bill Lampton: I I encourage people to get into the letter writing and the note writing stage. It will it will definitely enrich your life and the life of the people that that you’re with. Elizabeth Cottrell: It will, and it will be remembered. Bill Lampton: Elizabeth, thank you again so much. Elizabeth Cottrell: Thank you, Dr. Bill. Bill Lampton: Thanks to those of you who joined us on the video portion and also on the audio portion of the podcast. Be with us again next week for another version of The Biz Communication Show.
Classifying the Dictator's Collection: Colleague Geoffrey Roberts reports that Stalin hired Lenin's former librarian to organize his growing collection, creating a handwritten classification scheme that prioritized Marxist thinkers, surprisingly ranking his rival Trotsky highly on this reading list; the Bolsheviks seized control of publishing to manage public thought, while Stalin adopted an ex libris stamp to identify his personal books. 1930
Jim Cregan built Jimmy's Iced Coffee from a simple idea into a national brand. This episode captures how he pushed through debt, setbacks and doubt to create real momentum.Speaking with Jim Cregan reminded me how often founders underestimate the grind behind a brand that looks simple from the outside. Jim described the early days of Jimmy's Iced Coffee when he was £50,000 in debt, unsure of the next step and carrying the pressure of keeping the business alive. What shifted things was not luck. It was action. Handwritten letters, direct outreach, relentless product sampling and a refusal to step back when the numbers looked bleak. This Bite sized episode is a sharp reminder that momentum usually starts at the point where most people quit.Guest: Jim Cregan, Co founder of Jimmy's Iced CoffeeKey Takeaways:Momentum often begins when financial pressure is highest.Personal outreach can open doors large campaigns cannot.Simplicity and product quality build trust faster than branding claims.Resilience matters more than perfect planning in the early stages.
This episode explores why handwritten messages create lasting leadership impact, often being remembered for a lifetime while digital messages fade. Learn how a simple handwritten note can transform your leadership presence.Host: Paul FalavolitoConnect with me on your favorite platform: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, Substack, BlueSky, Threads, LinkTree View my website for free leadership resources and exclusive merchandise: www.paulfalavolito.comBooks by Paul FalavolitoThe 7 Minute Leadership Handbook: bit.ly/48J8zFGThe Leadership Academy: https://bit.ly/4lnT1PfThe 7 Minute Leadership Survival Guide: https://bit.ly/4ij0g8yThe Leader's Book of Secrets: http://bit.ly/4oeGzCI
Send us a textIn this episode of The Difference, Jay Werth welcomes David Wachs, the creator of Handwrytten, a groundbreaking platform that helps nonprofits deepen donor relationships through handwritten communication, produced by remarkably life-like writing robots. David explains how handwritten notes enhance donor stewardship, boost retention, and help organizations stand out in a world overwhelmed by digital noise. Plus, he shares real examples of nonprofits using Handwrytten to build trust and connection at scale.
When Andrea Driessen and Bart sat next to each other at IMEX, the conversation didn't begin with sales, logistics, or “What do you need?” Instead, Andrea asked something rare: “Tell me more about you.” That moment became the spark for this deeply meaningful episode. Andrea is the Founder of Grace Notes, an author, TED/TEDx speaker, longtime entrepreneur, and former ownerof a speakers bureau. Today, she's leading a global movement to help people experience something precious while they're still here: a living eulogy.In this powerful conversation, Andrea shares:Why people feel invisible at work and in lifeHow “messages of mattering” transform confidence, culture, and connection her father's 11-word note that changed everythingThe four roadblocks stopping people from expressing appreciationWhat happens when we wait too longthe extraordinary riffle effect of a handwritten Garce NoteYou'll hear emotional stories, practical tools, and reminders that we simply can't afford to postpone what matters most.This episode is a masterclass in noticing, appreciating, and expressing the good in others before it's too late. Major Takeaways / Learnings1. We must not wait.Life changes without warning. A grace note written today can become someone's anchor tomorrow. Bart shares his “blue screen of death” metaphor and his own heart-attack anniversary to reinforce the message: Don't wait.2. People feel unseen, more than we realize.A third of employees feel invisible at work. Half feel undervalued. Women especially feel unseen. Grace Notes offer a simple, profound antidote.3. A “living eulogy” shifts how people view their impact.Most people don't know the good they bring to others until they're gone. Grace Notes allow us to tell them now when they can internalize it, live into it, and be changed by it.4. Four roadblocks stop people from expressing appreciation.Andrea identifies the big four:Lack of timeEmotional bandwidthFear of awkwardnessNot knowing what to sayShe gives tools to overcome each one.5. Handwritten matters.A physical note becomes a keepsake, a reminder, a reassurance. People keep them on walls, drawers, binders—sometimes for decades.6. Brave moves build brave lives.Andrea shares the 11-word note from her father:“I'm in awe of my kid doing such a brave thing.”She still has it on her wall—even now.7. Attention is one of the purest forms of love.When we fully “erase ourselves” and focus on others, we give the rarest human gift: presence without agenda.8. Meaning > Matter.People don't need more things. They need more meaning. Messages of mattering help create it. Memorable QuotesFrom Andrea:“We shouldn't have to be dead to hear our eulogy read.”“People feel invisible. A simple note can change their day, their career, their life.”“We overthink what to write and underestimate its impact.”“The attention we give one another is our greatest form of love.”“If we don't believe in the value of our work, no one else will.”From Bart:“Most people don't… but you do.”“Don't wait to say I love you. Don't wait to send the note.”“The universe is meeting you where you are because your intention is pure.”“You don't need the applause, you need the impact.”Why It Matters1. Start your own Grace Note practice today.Pick one person. Write 3–4 sentences. Send it. Don't overthink.2. Create a “Kudos File” or “Brag Box.”Keep the notes others send you. Pull them out on the tough days.3. Use the “habit swap” method.Swap one episode of Netflix, one social scroll, one distraction—for a Grace Note.4. Schedule a monthly “Grace Note Meeting” with yourself.A simple recurring calendar block. 10–20 minutes. It changes relationships.5. Lead with meaning.In leadership, sales, family, and friendships:People remember how you made them feel seen.6. Practice presence.Erase yourself—focus solely on the human in front of you.Resources;Connect to: Andrea Driessen | LinkedInWebsite: Keynote Speaker | Gracenotes
On episode 303 of Take Flight Weekly, I walk you through one of the most overlooked yet powerful opportunities in our relationship business—holiday gifting and handwritten notes. Every advisor knows they should send something during the holidays, but few do it strategically. The difference between an average gesture and a lasting impression comes down to timing, thoughtfulness, and execution. This isn't about spending more money; it's about being intentional. Your goal isn't to impress—it's to express. The power of a well-timed, authentic note or gift lies in its ability to make someone feel seen, appreciated, and remembered. Timing is Everything USPS 2025 Domestic Mailing Deadlines: → First-Class Mail: December 18 → Priority Mail: December 19 → Priority Mail Express: December 21 Send early to stand out. Once you cross December 15, mailboxes explode. You want your message to land before the clutter. Best Practice: → Send cards between November 29–December 8 → Ship gifts between December 10–15 → Send New Year's cards between January 2–10 Strategic Playbook for 2025: → November 15: Finalize your Top 100 list → November 22: Order cards, gifts, and packaging → December 1–10: Send handwritten notes → December 10–15: Deliver gifts → December 26–January 5: Send "New Year Gratitude" notes Handwritten Notes: The Data → Open Rate: 90–99% versus 20–30% for email → Response Rate: 10–15% engagement versus 1–3% for printed mail → ROI: Nearly double compared to printed equivalents → Retention: Clients receiving 2+ handwritten notes per year are 80% more likely to refer or transact again → Physical mail activates stronger memory and emotional response centers than digital communication → 70% of consumers say handwritten notes make professionals appear more trustworthy Real-World Results: → Local company tested printed versus handwritten: handwritten cards generated more than double the conversion rate → Luxury brands saw 16–56x ROI with handwritten direct mail → Open rates increased from 42% to 90% by switching to handwritten notes How to Write the Card 3–5 sentences is the sweet spot. Structure: → Greeting – Use their name → Personal Connection – Reference something specific → Gratitude – Acknowledge their trust → Forward Look – End with optimism → Signature – Hand-sign it. Always Time: Plan 3–4 minutes per card. 50–75 cards = 4–5 hours total. Break into two or three 90-minute sessions. A four-minute handwritten card can sit on a client's desk for four months. That's marketing you can't buy. Gifting Principles → Keep It Local and useful → Stay under $100 per client → Personalize with a handwritten note → Align with your brand Birthdays Matter If holidays are your annual gratitude statement, birthdays are your year-round connection opportunity. Clients receiving 3+ personalized touches a year are 70% more likely to reach out first when they have a need. The Close Compare the ROI: → $500 postcard campaign: 1% response rate → $5 handwritten note: 10–15% response rate and deeper loyalty That's the kind of ROI you can't buy with clicks. It's earned through authenticity. If this resonated, share it. Subscribe at @askjimmiller. ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
How Handwritten Notes Build Customer Loyalty in a Digital Age Shep interviews Rick Elmore, founder of Simply Noted. He talks about how his company uses advanced handwriting robots and AI to create personalized handwritten notes at scale, to enhance customer relationships and stand out in today's digital world. This episode of Amazing Business Radio with Shep Hyken answers the following questions and more: How can companies send personalized handwritten notes to thousands of customers efficiently? How do handwritten notes compare to email and direct mail in terms of open rates? What is the impact of personalized handwritten notes on customer retention rates? How does sending handwritten notes help businesses stand out from digital competitors? How does sending personalized handwritten notes at scale improve employee engagement and morale? Top Takeaways: Getting a handwritten note (or one that looks handwritten) instantly makes the recipient feel special and appreciated. When customers receive an envelope with a handwritten address and a stamp, they are more likely top open it. When it includes a personalized message in the form of something tangible, tactile, and written with a pen, they are more likely to keep it. Personalization builds strong customer relationships. A way that businesses can do this at scale is to use technology like robots that can mimic human handwriting and powerful AI software to create thousands of truly personalized notes. Handwritten notes have much higher open rates than regular mail. Studies show that almost every handwritten note gets opened, while most promotional letters or emails get ignored or thrown away. When someone sees a real envelope with a stamp and handwriting, it feels personal. This makes handwritten notes a powerful tool for getting attention. Sending handwritten notes helps businesses reduce customer churn. It is not just about showing appreciation and acknowledging customers, but it can also make them want to stay and keep buying from you. Businesses have found that thank-you notes and anniversary cards help increase loyalty. Even just a simple "thank you" can have a significant impact and keep clients engaged for years. Authenticity matters with personal messages. In the age of social media, customers can easily take a picture of a personal handwritten note and share it online. Large language models and intelligent software allow you to generate different messages for thousands of customers, each tailored to their interests or previous experiences. This way, no two notes are exactly alike, even if the general message is the same. The best business opportunities may be in your existing customer base. Instead of constantly chasing new customers, take time to appreciate the ones you already have. Small, personalized gestures can deliver a significant return on investment by building long-term relationships and brand loyalty. Plus, Shep Hyken and Rick Elmore show how personalization works, sharing examples of successful brands like Chewy using handwritten notes to stand out and strengthen customer relationships. Tune in! Quote: "We're drowning in digital noise. What's old is new again. People crave authentic experiences and want to feel valued. A personalized handwritten note is what helps businesses win loyal customers and long-term relationships." About: Rick Elmore is a former NFL athlete, an award-winning entrepreneur, and the founder of Simply Noted, a leading U.S.-based handwritten direct mail company. He helps organizations build meaningful human connections with their customers at scale. Shep Hyken is a customer service and experience expert, New York Times bestselling author, award-winning keynote speaker, and host of Amazing Business Radio. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this conversation, James Schutrop from Scribe discusses the innovative approach of using robots to create handwritten letters, emphasizing the importance of personal touch in a world overwhelmed by digital communication. He explains how Scribe's technology integrates with CRM systems to automate the process of sending personalized thank-you letters, enhancing customer engagement. The discussion also covers the significance of authenticity in marketing, particularly through the removal of postmarks to maintain the illusion of a personal touch.TakeawaysScribe automates handwritten letters to enhance customer appreciation.People are overwhelmed by digital communication and crave personal interaction.Handwritten letters can significantly improve customer engagement.The technology uses real pens to create authentic-looking letters.Postmark removal is crucial for maintaining authenticity in marketing.Automation allows businesses to send personalized letters without manual effort.The handwritten letters are designed to look like they come from a friend or family member.Scribe's system integrates seamlessly with existing CRM platforms.The event highlights practical strategies for e-commerce businesses.Authenticity in marketing is essential to avoid customer skepticism.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Scribe and Handwritten Automation02:57 The Importance of Personal Touch in Marketing05:42 Postmark Removal and Authenticity in Handwritten Letters
Service Business Mastery - Business Tips and Strategies for the Service Industry
Learn how to automate tasks, save time, and increase your profit. No Coding required!
Dive into Episode 210 of The Alan Sanders Show as we expose the BBC's alleged Trump fraud scheme, unmask Democrat shutdown propaganda tactics amid government chaos, reveal James Comey's explosive handwritten notes from the burn bag scandal linking Clinton's Russia hoax, and break down Trump's bold call to nuke the filibuster for real reform. To get the unfiltered truth on the deep state, media bias and Senate gridlock, don't miss this information-packed episode! Please take a moment to rate and review the show and then share the episode on social media. You can find me on Facebook, X, Instagram, GETTR, TRUTH Social and YouTube by searching for The Alan Sanders Show. And, consider becoming a sponsor of the show by visiting my Patreon page!
As the capital of the world's largest democracy, Delhi embodies the essence of modern India – a vivid paradox of old and new, rich and poor, foreign and familiar. It's been fourteen years since my last visit and the economic transformation is ever-present. High rises, swanky malls and residential colonies housing the booming middle-class are mushrooming everywhere. As my engaging Wendy Wu Tours guide Girish remarked, as we were whisked into the city from the airport, “Delhi is more than a mere city, it has morphed into the national capital region.” With the metropolitan population now nudging 30 million, Delhi is a megalopolis and on-track to becoming the world's most populous city in three years' time. Our hotel was in New Delhi, the more modern, planned city within a city, that was built by the British in 1911 and replaced Kolkata as the national capital, twenty years later. In a city notorious for its air pollution, which is supposedly steadily improving, one of the great paradoxes of New Delhi is that it's also swathed in a sprawling green canopy. It's arguably the greatest legacy from British rule, because the new city was deliberately, meticulously planned to be nestled within a vast green cover, fanning out from Connaught Place on those broad long avenues. Large-canopy trees like banyans, mango, and pilkhans were selected by the British, while indigenous trees ideally suited to the climate have added to the canopy in recent decades. That sprawling tree cover is certainly a godsend from the fierce Delhi heat. Delhi's contradictions abound. You'll still see working elephants trudging along traffic-clogged roads, as fire-engine red Ferraris zip by. Handwritten posters singing out, “Customs confiscated goods sold here,” still compete next to glossy fashion billboards for Gucci and Prada. It's all part of Delhi's curious fabric. The city is littered with so many crumbling tombs and ruins, most of them are not even on the tourist map. But if you are a first-timer to the city, signature sights include marvelling at the sheer grace of the soaring Qutb Minar Tower. It was built 800 years ago by the Turkish Slave King Qutb-ud-din Aibak to celebrate his victory over the Hindu Rajputs. Wander through the sculptural Jantar Mantar, a huge, open-air astronomy observatory built in 1725 by Jai Singh, creator and ruler of Jaipur. Admire the 16th-century garden tomb of Mughal Emperor Humayun, precursor to the Taj Mahal, which was built by Humayun's great-grandson. Over in Old Delhi, two Mughal-era masterpieces, the imposing Red Fort (which was the Mughal seat of power for 200 years) and Jama Masjid, India's largest mosque. Both sandstone show-stoppers are definitely worth exploring. The mosque was commissioned by Shah Jahan in 1656 and it took 5000 labourers 6 years to complete. Within its hallowed walls lie sacred relics like Prophet Muhammad's hair. Beyond ticking-off the capital's great monuments, heading to Old Delhi is like a journey back in time. The beating, chaotic, carnival-like heart of Old Delhi is Chandni Chowk, Delhi's 400 year old marketplace that was built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. The market has been redeveloped to tame some of the chaos, including some fully pedestrianised streets and non-motorised transport lanes. But as I gazed at the spaghetti-like tangle of street wiring that garlands the crowded market lanes, there's no denying the ramshackle, faded glory feels amid this pulsating hot-spot of old-school commerce. Be sure to get your fill of jalebis from a street food vendor. Made from a deep-fried spiral-shaped wheat flour batter, which is then soaked in a sugar syrup, a plate of piping hot, crispy, sticky jalebis is a very satisfying sugar hit. We enjoyed a classic rickshaw ride through the throng of traders, shoppers and wandering cows, all heaving in those pencil-thin lanes. Girish also led us through the Khari Baoli Spice Market in Chandni Chowk, positively bulging with so many spices, nuts, herbs, pickles, preserves, rice and teas. Renowned as Asia's largest wholesale spice market, it's an aromatic head-blast. Shops and stalls bulge with heaping mounds and baskets of over a hundred different spices, headlined by turmeric, cardamom, coriander, star anise, ginger and cumin. Just as they have for hundreds of years, shoppers, dealers and chefs converge here every day to haggle and hustle. Many vendors have been peddling their wares for generations. Dawdle too long in front of a stall, and traders with huge sacks of chilis or cardamom pods will soon bump you out of their way. One of the oldest and tidiest shops is Mehar Chand and Sons. They've been in business since Queen Victoria ruled over them. And it's a great place to stock up on packaged spices, tea and saffron. Anshu Kumar, who is part of the family that has owned the shop since its inception, tells me that one of their biggest sellers with international visitors is turmeric, powered by the world's booming love-affair with this powerful superfood and supplement. (Their packaged products are allowed in New Zealand – just be sure to declare them.) Heading back to the hotel, we also stopped by the Indian parliament and sized up the monolithic might of India Gate. Designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, this monstrous landmark is more than just a stunning feat of architecture—it's a poignant memorial to the 70,000 Indian soldiers who laid down their lives during World War I and the Third Anglo-Afghan War. Beautifully illuminated after sunset, street food vendors and ice cream carts line the area, swathed in sprawling lush gardens. The great thing about a Wendy Wu Tours private holiday is that you have complete flexibility over how much temple-touring and sightseeing you want to do. Equipped with your own driver and guide, it's a stress-free way to tackle Delhi. The itinerary can be as active or as laid back as you are, with full flexibility over included meals and excursions. You'll be in the best of hands with Wendy Wu Tours. www.wendywutours.co.nz/india Nothing beats retreating to a leafy oasis of eminent comfort and style after a hot, sticky day intrepidly gorging on the city sights. Nestled along the tree-lined boulevards of Connaught Place, Shangri-La Eros New Delhi, is a five-star hotel with serious wow-factor. From the moment you step inside the grand art-filled lobby, you know you are somewhere special. Service is swift, sparkling, flawless and convivial. It's the epitome of affordable luxury, with sharply-priced room rates that won't blow your budget. Push the boat out and lock in a Horizon Club room or suite. That will give you access to the hotel's cherry on top, the 19th floor Horizon Club lounge, allowing you a quick check-in, breakfast, evening cocktails and light bites. Plus panoramic views of the city's skyline. The hotel's arsenal of dining venues is very impressive. Head to Mister Chai for some authentic Indian street food coupled with flavoured tea and coffee. There is Tamra serving European, Japanese, Indian, Thai and Southeast Asian fare from live kitchens. “Lavish” doesn't do justice to the expansive array of buffet options at Tamra for breakfast. Sorrento specialises in Italian food with a contemporary twist and Shang Palace offers flavours of Sichuan, Cantonese and Yunnan cuisines. This is a signature dining venue in Shangri-La hotels and Shang Palace is widely feted as the world's most loved Chinese specialty restaurant. Dining here was divine, noshing on prawn dumplings with caviar; Xinjiang spice twice cooked baby lamb ribs; and the Cantonese BBQ platter. Shang Palace is a must. Celebrating it's 20th birthday this year, Shangri-La Eros is not the sort of hotel to rest on its laurels. And with wellness offerings continuing to be increasingly sought after, the hotel recently unveiled a wealth of enticing new amenities. The Wellness Club boasts offers over 4,000 square feet of world-class fitness space, advanced recovery therapies, a 100-feet outdoor swimming pool, salon, spa, and a calming hydrothermal zone featuring a cold plunge, Himalayan salt sauna, whirlpool, and steam. What more could you want for personal pampering? The Wellness Club seamlessly blends conscious luxury with modern wellness. Designed by Dubai's Stickman Tribe, Dubai, the interior is bathed in natural hues and hand-painted art. Calming music sets the tone for a serene escape with gilded details and reflective surfaces lending a touch of grandeur to the venue. The Spa has become a runaway hit with custom-crafted amenities to indulge the senses. Signature rituals include the Taste of India Retreat, Signature Indulgence, and a Couple's Serenity Bath, crafted to nourish the body and calm the mind. But my favourite hotel feature is the enormous new pool. Tranquil corridors lead you outdoors to the gloriously leafy green space, crowned with that magnificent pool and elegant sun loungers. As black kites circled high above in the sky, and mischievous rhesus macaques swung between the trees – much to the annoyance of nesting rose-ringed parakeets, marinating myself in the hotel's glorious pool became a rinse-and-repeat prize draw. www.shangri-la.com From New Zealand, it's just a one-stop connection to a multitude of destinations in India, including New Delhi, with Singapore Airlines, on their various daily services from Auckland and Christchurch to Singapore. Enjoy well-timed connections for an easy transit in Singapore. Across all classes of travel, the award-winning carrier has not only fostered a world-beating reputation for its exceptional customer service and in-flight product, but also its innovation. Become a KrisFlyer member and enjoy complimentary in-flight WiFi. For best fares and seats to suit head to https://www.singaporeair.com Mike Yardley is our resident traveller on Jack Tame Saturday Mornings. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
NEWS: Lacson reveals ex-DPWH chief Bonoan received handwritten project 'memos' from outsiders | Oct. 29, 2025Subscribe to The Manila Times Channel - https://tmt.ph/YTSubscribe Visit our website at https://www.manilatimes.net Follow us: Facebook - https://tmt.ph/facebook Instagram - https://tmt.ph/instagram Twitter - https://tmt.ph/twitter DailyMotion - https://tmt.ph/dailymotion Subscribe to our Digital Edition - https://tmt.ph/digital Check out our Podcasts: Spotify - https://tmt.ph/spotify Apple Podcasts - https://tmt.ph/applepodcasts Amazon Music - https://tmt.ph/amazonmusic Deezer: https://tmt.ph/deezer Stitcher: https://tmt.ph/stitcherTune In: https://tmt.ph/tunein#TheManilaTimes#KeepUpWithTheTimes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Title: The Handwritten Habit: Use This Secret for Endless Referrals Host: Michael J. Maher Guest: Dave DeBruyn Description: In this inspiring episode, Michael J. Maher sits down with veteran Realtor and Generosity Generation advocate Dave DeBruyn from Grand Rapids, Michigan. Dave has taken the annual Notevember Challenge—writing 30 handwritten notes in 30 days—to an entirely new level. Each November, he writes up to 1,000 handwritten notes, and this single act of generosity fuels his referral business for the entire year. Dave shares how this powerful handwritten habit not only keeps him top of mind with his clients and community but also fills his life with gratitude, joy, and connection. You'll discover how a simple pen and paper can become your most effective—and heartfelt—marketing strategy. (7L) Referral Strategies Podcast Topics: Notevember, Handwritten Notes Special Offer: Join the Notevember Challenge today at www.Notevember.com
“You're not born disorganized. You become disorganized because responsibility grows faster than your systems do.” Notable Moments [03:44] –Teaching time management helps employees connect with leaders and understand their own responsibilities. [05:34] – Neglecting the things that seem small can lead to big problems. [07:11] – Adopting a system can positively change your life and career trajectory. [11:23] – Handwritten planners versus digital tools and why writing strengthens memory. [15:55] – Schedule the priorities in your life or they won't get done. Lee Cockerell shares why effective time management is less about tools and more about personal accountability. He reflects on lessons from decades of leadership at Disney, the importance of maintenance in every part of life, and how to build habits that prevent chaos before it starts. Read the blog for more from this episode. Resources Creating Magic Mastermind October 2025 CockerellStore.com The Cockerell Academy About Lee Cockerell Mainstreet Leader Jody Maberry Travel Guidance Magical Vacation Planners are my preferred travel advisors. Reach out to have them help plan your next vacation. You can reach them at 407-442-2694.
Title: The Amazing Journey of Writing 580 Handwritten Letters with Michael J Maher and Amy Daughters Host: Michael J. Maher Guest: Amy Weinland Daughters Description: In this heartfelt and inspiring episode, Michael J. Maher sits down with author and speaker Amy Weinland Daughters to explore the incredible journey that began when she decided to handwrite letters to all 580 of her Facebook friends. What started as a personal project turned into a life-changing experience—one that rekindled relationships, deepened connections, and revealed the profound impact of meaningful, handwritten communication in a digital world. Amy shares the inspiration behind her book Dear Dana, the surprises along the way, and how simple acts of kindness—like writing a note—can transform lives, including your own. (7L) Referral Strategies Podcast Topics: Handwritten Notes, Notevember Special Offer: Join the Notevember Challenge today at www.Notevember.com and experience the power of handwritten notes for yourself! Resources Mentioned: Dear Dana: That time I went crazy and wrote all 580 of my Facebook friends a handwritten letter by Amy Weinland Daughters — Buy on Amazon
Investor Fuel Real Estate Investing Mastermind - Audio Version
Leah Kelm shares the story of how her husband, an automation engineer, discovered a robot for sale on eBay, leading them to explore its potential applications, particularly in real estate. Professional Real Estate Investors - How we can help you: Investor Fuel Mastermind: Learn more about the Investor Fuel Mastermind, including 100% deal financing, massive discounts from vendors and sponsors you're already using, our world class community of over 150 members, and SO much more here: http://www.investorfuel.com/apply Investor Machine Marketing Partnership: Are you looking for consistent, high quality lead generation? Investor Machine is America's #1 lead generation service professional investors. Investor Machine provides true ‘white glove' support to help you build the perfect marketing plan, then we'll execute it for you…talking and working together on an ongoing basis to help you hit YOUR goals! Learn more here: http://www.investormachine.com Coaching with Mike Hambright: Interested in 1 on 1 coaching with Mike Hambright? Mike coaches entrepreneurs looking to level up, build coaching or service based businesses (Mike runs multiple 7 and 8 figure a year businesses), building a coaching program and more. Learn more here: https://investorfuel.com/coachingwithmike Attend a Vacation/Mastermind Retreat with Mike Hambright: Interested in joining a “mini-mastermind” with Mike and his private clients on an upcoming “Retreat”, either at locations like Cabo San Lucas, Napa, Park City ski trip, Yellowstone, or even at Mike's East Texas “Big H Ranch”? Learn more here: http://www.investorfuel.com/retreat Property Insurance: Join the largest and most investor friendly property insurance provider in 2 minutes. Free to join, and insure all your flips and rentals within minutes! There is NO easier insurance provider on the planet (turn insurance on or off in 1 minute without talking to anyone!), and there's no 15-30% agent mark up through this platform! Register here: https://myinvestorinsurance.com/ New Real Estate Investors - How we can work together: Investor Fuel Club (Coaching and Deal Partner Community): Looking to kickstart your real estate investing career? Join our one of a kind Coaching Community, Investor Fuel Club, where you'll get trained by some of the best real estate investors in America, and partner with them on deals! You don't need $ for deals…we'll partner with you and hold your hand along the way! Learn More here: http://www.investorfuel.com/club —--------------------
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-good-morning-portugal-podcast-with-carl-munson--2903992/support.Let us help you find YOUR home in Portugal...Whether you are looking to BUY, RENT or SCOUT, reach out to Carl Munson and connect with the biggest and best network of professionals that have come together through Good Morning Portugal! over the last five years that have seen Portugal's meteoric rise in popularity.Simply contact Carl by phone/WhatsApp on (00 351) 913 590 303, email carl@carlmunson.com or enter your details at www.goodmorningportugal.com And join The Portugal Club FREE here - www.theportugalclub.com
Handwritten license plate. Is the Gaza Peace deal unraveling? John Fetterman is all about civil discord. Singer Lee Greenwood joins Good Morning Orlando.
Welcome to Research Like a Pro! In this episode, Nicole and Diana discuss high-quality handwritten text recognition with Gemini 2.5 Pro in Google AI Studio. Nicole shares her experience transcribing a 1791 South Carolina deed, highlighting how accurate the transcription was using Google AI Studio. She explains that Google AI Studio is a free, web-based tool for prototyping and testing Google's Gemini AI models, and she finds it to be the most accurate way to transcribe handwritten documents. They also discuss the future of AI in handwritten text recognition, emphasizing that clear images of legible text are crucial for accurate AI transcriptions. Listeners will learn about the capabilities of Gemini 2.5 Pro for transcribing historical documents and how to use Google AI Studio for this purpose. This summary was generated by Google Gemini. Links High-Quality Handwritten Text Recognition with Gemini 2.5 Pro in Google AI Studio - https://familylocket.com/high-quality-handwritten-text-recognition-with-gemini-2-5-pro-in-google-ai-studio/ Deed: Anderson County, South Carolina, Mesne Conveyance A: 367-369, James Gillison to Burgess Reeves, 24 June 1791; image, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS73-JHPN : accessed 21 July 2025). Plat drawing: Abbeville County, South Carolina, Old Records B: 76, plat drawing of 200 acres for James Gillison, 27 October 1785; image, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C34J-RJ37?view=fullText&keywords=James%20Gillison%2CRocky%20Creek&lang=en&groupId= : accessed 23 September 2025). Sponsor – Newspapers.com For listeners of this podcast, Newspapers.com is offering new subscribers 20% off a Publisher Extra subscription so you can start exploring today. Just use the code “FamilyLocket” at checkout. Research Like a Pro Resources Airtable Universe - Nicole's Airtable Templates - https://www.airtable.com/universe/creator/usrsBSDhwHyLNnP4O/nicole-dyer Airtable Research Logs Quick Reference - by Nicole Dyer - https://familylocket.com/product-tag/airtable/ Research Like a Pro: A Genealogist's Guide book by Diana Elder with Nicole Dyer on Amazon.com - https://amzn.to/2x0ku3d 14-Day Research Like a Pro Challenge Workbook - digital - https://familylocket.com/product/14-day-research-like-a-pro-challenge-workbook-digital-only/ and spiral bound - https://familylocket.com/product/14-day-research-like-a-pro-challenge-workbook-spiral-bound/ Research Like a Pro Webinar Series - monthly case study webinars including documentary evidence and many with DNA evidence - https://familylocket.com/product-category/webinars/ Research Like a Pro eCourse - independent study course - https://familylocket.com/product/research-like-a-pro-e-course/ RLP Study Group - upcoming group and email notification list - https://familylocket.com/services/research-like-a-pro-study-group/ Research Like a Pro with DNA Resources Research Like a Pro with DNA: A Genealogist's Guide to Finding and Confirming Ancestors with DNA Evidence book by Diana Elder, Nicole Dyer, and Robin Wirthlin - https://amzn.to/3gn0hKx Research Like a Pro with DNA eCourse - independent study course - https://familylocket.com/product/research-like-a-pro-with-dna-ecourse/ RLP with DNA Study Group - upcoming group and email notification list - https://familylocket.com/services/research-like-a-pro-with-dna-study-group/ Thank you Thanks for listening! We hope that you will share your thoughts about our podcast and help us out by doing the following: Write a review on iTunes or Apple Podcasts. If you leave a review, we will read it on the podcast and answer any questions that you bring up in your review. Thank you! Leave a comment in the comment or question in the comment section below. Share the episode on Twitter, Facebook, or Pinterest. Subscribe on iTunes or your favorite podcast app. Sign up for our newsletter to receive notifications of new episodes - https://familylocket.com/sign-up/ Check out this list of genealogy podcasts from Feedspot: Best Genealogy Podcasts - https://blog.feedspot.com/genealogy_podcasts/
Tune in to our weekly LIVE Mastermind Q+A Podcast for expert advice, peer collaboration, and actionable insights on success in the Probate, Divorce, Late Mortgage/Pre-Foreclosure, and Aged Expired niches! Today's episode of the All The Leads Mastermind Podcast unwraps how to use the holiday season as a springboard for your 2026 success. Tim and the team introduce the new Holiday Marketing Guide, designed to help agents plan multi-touch campaigns that are thoughtful, timely, and community-driven. Alyssa walks through creative ideas for every niche (probate, divorce, late mortgage, etc.) emphasizing compassionate, professional messaging that shows care without pushing for sales. From co-branded community events and personalized cards to simple, heartfelt gestures like pumpkin bread deliveries, the team highlights how authenticity builds lasting goodwill. Listeners learn how to combine direct mail, digital touches, and personal outreach for maximum impact, plus how early planning keeps you ahead of the competition when others go quiet. The coaches share proven tips, from seasonal recipe cards to co-sponsoring local events, reminding agents that showing up during the holidays isn't just festive, it's foundational. Tune in to discover how consistent, thoughtful touches now can set up a strong first quarter and keep your name top of mind well into the new year. Key Takeaways Plan early: Start holiday marketing before the rush to stay ahead and avoid last-minute stress. Be thoughtful, not salesy: Focus on care, empathy, and value—especially with sensitive audiences like probate or divorce leads. Use a multi-channel approach: Combine mail, email, social, and personal touches for maximum visibility and connection. Co-brand locally: Partner with attorneys, service providers, or community businesses to share costs and expand reach. Personalize your touches: Handwritten notes, small gifts, or even a simple recipe can leave a lasting impression. Show up in your community: Sponsor events, deliver treats, or host small gatherings to build genuine relationships. Think long game: Consistent, compassionate holiday marketing sets the stage for strong Q1 momentum and future referrals. To learn more, visit https://www.AllTheLeads.com or call (844) 532-3369 to check how many leads are available in your market. #HolidayMarketing #RealEstateMarketing #LeadGeneration #CommunityOutreachPrevious episodes: AllTheLeads.com/probate-mastermindInterested in Leads? AllTheLeads.comJoin Future Episodes Live in the All The Leads Facebook Mastermind Group: https://facebook.com/groups/alltheleadsmastermindBe sure to check out our full Mastermind Q&A Playlist Support the show
Taylor Swift's PR team is working overtime, but did Brittany Mahomes get a personal handwritten note? The gang is speculating about whether Taylor Swift will change her name after marrying Travis Kelce. Plus: The truth about the Super Bowl. Is dry cleaning worth the hassle? A dad accidentally let Chat GPT babysit his kid, and Vinnie might have a food hack that will actually change your life!
Are you relying only on emails, Faire, or Instagram to grow your wholesale sales? In this episode of Let's Talk Shop, I'm sharing why traditional sales skills are making a big comeback - and why buyers are craving human connection more than ever. I'll walk you through what I'm seeing in the home and gift industry right now, and how you can use simple, old-school sales actions to stand out from the noise, win more stockists, and build repeat wholesale orders. Episode Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction: Why traditional sales skills matter today 01:12 – What sales looked like when I started in 2008 (fax orders, handwritten notes, manageable inboxes) 03:05 – How digital has changed wholesale sales and why buyers feel overwhelmed 04:32 – Why trade shows feel quieter - and what buyers are really looking for 06:15 – The comeback of human connection in wholesale 07:48 – BookTok, physical books, and what this trend teaches us about selling wholesale 09:10 – The emotional side of sales: trust, familiarity, and connection 11:22 – Handwritten notes, catalogues, and why they still work 13:04 – Curated pop-ups, markets, and the rise of experiential retail 15:37 – What Korea teaches us about retail theatre and brand activations 18:45 – How UK farm shops, garden centres, and big destinations use small brands to drive discovery 21:12 – Examples of activations: Molly Mae's coffee van, Jellycat pop-ups, and why they work 23:08 – Action steps: how to bring a more human touch to your wholesale sales this week 25:00 – Invitation to Cracking Christmas free workshop on 24th September 26:10 – How Sales Growth Lab can help you build a repeatable wholesale system What you'll learn in this episode Why buyers are overwhelmed by digital pitches and inbox clutter How traditional sales actions like handwritten notes, phone calls, and catalogues can cut through Examples of curated pop-ups, markets, and brand activations shaping retail trends The emotional side of wholesale sales - why trust, familiarity, and human connection drive orders Practical ways to blend modern sales tools with personal, relationship-driven wholesale strategy Free Workshop: Cracking Christmas On 24th September, I'm hosting a free live workshop called Cracking Christmas: Build Your Sales Plan for Your Best Q4 Yet. We'll map out 5 proven moves to boost your wholesale sales, reconnect with buyers, and finish the year strong. Sign up here Ready for Steady, Predictable Wholesale Sales? If you're ready to stop relying only on third-party platforms and finally create a wholesale sales system that works every single month, come and join me inside Sales Growth Lab.
What if you could generate consistent referrals without spending big on ads or fancy events?Access my FREE COURSES hereIn this episode of The Faithful Agent Podcast, host Garrett Maroon shares powerful, real-world strategies to build a thriving real estate business through meaningful client engagement. Whether you're just starting out or looking to refresh your approach, Garrett breaks down cost-effective, relational tactics that help agents deepen trust, boost referrals, and stand out in a crowded market.He covers everything from handwritten notes and video texts to simple, low-cost client events—all rooted in the idea that relationships, not transactions, drive success.
The future of Insurance Sales is HERE We are launching the first and only 24/7 AI-powered sales coaching platform built exclusively for insurance professionals. With real-time call grading, on-demand role-plays, and personalized coaching after every conversation, it helps producers get better and agents get their time back. Text AI to (816) 727-7610 to join the Waitlistwww.agencycoachai.comWatch the full episode on YouTube: HEREText (816) 727-7610 — I want to hear your biggest takeaway!What's in this episode:If you're looking for the silver bullet in insurance, stop searching—Larry Lucas shows you how to build it yourself. With 25 years of experience and a #49 national ranking, Larry reveals the simple systems, cultural shifts, and appointment strategies that drive consistent growth. From handwritten postcards to the 10% financial services rule, this episode is a masterclass in building a business that lasts.[00:00] Why agents fail searching for silver bullets[01:00] Larry's 25-year journey to top 50 in the country[02:00] The secret behind systems that scale[04:00] #1 advice for new agents: pay your taxes[05:00] The power of cross-selling single-line households[07:00] Handwritten postcards that still drive results[09:00] Why in-person appointments beat phone calls[11:00] Onboarding systems that boost retention[14:00] Why Larry still meets clients after 25 years[16:00] The hardest thing to delegate as an agent[20:00] Training your team to “sound like you”[23:00] Evolving team structure for sales + service[28:00] Opening a second office the right way[30:00] Building culture and compensation that keeps people[34:00] Setting production expectations for producers[36:00] The 10% rule: apps → financial services[39:00] Breaking ceilings with simplicity and consistency[40:00] The #1 thing agents should stop doing: ignoring ROI[44:00] Make decisions with sample size, not emotionsConnect with Larry: HERETEXT MICHAEL DIRECTLYHave a question or want to talk to Michael directly? It's really him, not a robot. Text “BUZZ” to (816) 727-7610 FREE 7-Day Demo – Weaver Sales AcademyTry it: CLICK HERE Tools + Free Resources https://www.weaversa.com Connect with Michael OnlineLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/michaelweaverwsaYouTube: @michaelweavertrainingFacebook: facebook.com/themichaelweaverInstagram: @michaelweaver
Rabbi Meir Posner of Danzig (1725-1807), one of the leading poskim of the entire 18th century. R Akiva Eger used to send him his questions! A classic אב"ד of the "Old School" https://thechesedfund.com/rabbikatz/support-rabbi-katzz-podcast
Rare Reiki Documents Revealed: Olaf Bӧhm on Usui's Lost Teachings This week on the Reiki Lifestyle Podcast, we're honored to welcome Olaf Bӧhm, Reiki researcher, practitioner, and author of the extraordinary new book Reiki: A Journey to Oneness with the Universe. Olaf takes us through his deeply personal and historical pilgrimage to uncover original Reiki documents, including writings from Usui Sensei's direct students and rare artifacts never before published in English. This is a story of spiritual calling, serendipity, and dedication. Olaf's journey reveals firsthand accounts, Gokai prints, and historical treasures that illuminate Reiki's history in Japan, and why it still matters today. Guest Highlights: Olaf began his Reiki journey in 2003 during a pilgrimage in India. In 2008, he trained in Gendai Reiki Ho with Doi Sensei and Komyo Reiki Kai with Inamoto Yukishina Sensei. For over a decade, Olaf has traveled to Japan, meeting lineage holders, historians, and guardians of Reiki's past. He gained access to priceless historical documents, including: o Handwritten versions of the Gokai Original training scrolls and treatment manuals Early Meiji poetry booklets used by Usui's students Membership directories from pre-war Reiki branches His book shares the deeper meaning of Usui's teachings, the history of 60+ branches of Usui Reiki Ryōhō Gakkai, and the remarkable legacy of teachers like Yoshida Sensei and Tomobechi Juzō. Key Topics Covered: The decision by Usui Sensei to share Reiki globally Differences between the Gokai and Meiji poems Why Usui's brother, Kuniji Usui, matters to Reiki's evolution How Olaf preserves rare documents and what they reveal about pre-war Reiki Cultural etiquette, trust, and divine guidance that made this research possible Usui's impact across spiritual, military, and political landscapes in Japa The ongoing evolution of Mount Kurama and its spiritual message today Contact Olaf: Olaf's YouTube channel: @Olaf_komyodo My book in Europe: https://buchshop.bod.de/catalogsearch/result/index/?q=Olaf%20B%C3%B6hm&bod_pers_id=14066536 The Videos of the Centenary of Usui Reiki Ryoho 2023 in Osaka: https://www.gendaireikihomadrid.com/videos-centenario-english/ Listen Now to uncover the hidden legacy of Reiki and how Olaf Boom's work is preserving this sacred knowledge for generations to come. ✨Connect with Colleen and Robyn Classes: https://reikilifestyle.com/classes-page/ FREE Distance Reiki Share: https://reikilifestyle.com/community/ Podcast: https://reikilifestyle.com/podcast/ (available on all major platforms too) Website: https://reikilifestyle.com/ Colleen Social Media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ReikiLifestyle Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reikilifestyleofficialempo Robyn Social Media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/robynbenellireiki Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/robynbenellireiki **DISCLAIMER** This episode is not a substitute for seeking professional medical care but is offered for relaxation and stress reduction which support the body's natural healing capabilities. Reiki is a complement to and never a replacement for professional medical care. Colleen and Robyn are not licensed professional health care providers and urge you to always seek out the appropriate physical and mental help professional health care providers may offer. Results vary by individual.
Bryan Kohberger has been in prison for less than a month but he has filed a number of complaints about his lunch and claims inmates are sexually harassing him. Law&Crime obtained the handwritten complaints through a public records request with the Idaho Department of Corrections. The documents also outline what Kohberger wants out of prison. Angenette Levy goes over the documents in this episode of Crime Fix — a daily show covering the biggest stories in crime.PLEASE SUPPORT THE SHOW: If you're ever injured in an accident, you can check out Morgan & Morgan. You can submit a claim in 8 clicks or less without having to leave your couch. To start your claim, visit: https://www.forthepeople.com/CrimeFixHost:Angenette Levy https://twitter.com/Angenette5Guests:Mark Weaver https://x.com/MarkRWeaverLarry Levine https://www.youtube.com/@larrylevine5605Producer:Jordan ChaconCRIME FIX PRODUCTION:Head of Social Media, YouTube - Bobby SzokeSocial Media Management - Vanessa BeinVideo Editing - Daniel CamachoGuest Booking - Alyssa Fisher & Diane KayeSTAY UP-TO-DATE WITH THE LAW&CRIME NETWORK:Watch Law&Crime Network on YouTubeTV: https://bit.ly/3td2e3yWhere To Watch Law&Crime Network: https://bit.ly/3akxLK5Sign Up For Law&Crime's Daily Newsletter: https://bit.ly/LawandCrimeNewsletterRead Fascinating Articles From Law&Crime Network: https://bit.ly/3td2IqoLAW&CRIME NETWORK SOCIAL MEDIA:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawandcrime/Twitter: https://twitter.com/LawCrimeNetworkFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/lawandcrimeTwitch: https://www.twitch.tv/lawandcrimenetworkSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Former FBI Special Agent Jennifer Coffindaffer pulls no punches in this urgent episode of Break The Case. Tonight, she takes us inside one of the first written communications ever made public from Idaho murder defendant Bryan Kohberger — a handwritten letter sent to the deputy warden of the Idaho Maximum Security Institution. The letter, dated July 30, 2025, shows Kohberger pleading for a transfer to a different prison block, claiming harassment, verbal threats, and mistreatment. But what's most shocking isn't his request — it's the entitled tone of a man convicted of brutally taking four young lives who still believes he can manipulate his surroundings like he once tried to manipulate his victims. Coffindaffer, who has analyzed countless high-profile criminals throughout her FBI career, breaks down not just the content of Kohberger's note but also his sloppy, childlike handwriting. She compares his writing style to other infamous killers like Ted Bundy, Dennis Rader (BTK), and Danny Rolling — exploring what these details say about his mindset behind bars. In this episode, you'll hear why Jennifer believes Kohberger's behavior is typical of manipulative inmates, why his complaints don't hold up against the brutal reality of maximum-security prison life, and why families of the Idaho 4 victims must feel enraged by his continued attempts to control the narrative. The conversation also expands to cases like Richard Allen (Delphi), the Menendez brothers, and the ongoing search for baby Emmanuel Haro — showing how justice, memory, and accountability must remain front and center in a system that too often forgets victims over time. If you want unfiltered analysis and the truth about what really happens inside America's most notorious cases, don't miss this episode. #BryanKohberger #JenniferCoffindaffer #Idaho4 #BreakTheCase #TrueCrime #PrisonLetter #KohbergerTrial #IdahoMurders #DelphiCase #MenendezBrothers
In this episode, David sits down with Matt Mossburger, co-founder of WealthFeed, to discuss innovative strategies for financial advisors to find and engage potential clients. In This Episode: 0:00 - Introduction to Matt Mossburger 1:00 - Matt's background in wealth management 2:30 - Origins of Wealth Feed 4:26 - Building the tech team 7:39 - Catalyst events for prospecting 11:55 - Effective outreach strategies 16:29 - Multi-channel marketing approaches 18:55 - Handwritten note strategies 23:42 - Importance of social media content 26:11 - Platform integrations Special Offer: 20% off WealthFeed annual subscription (contact Matt directly) Connect with Matt: Email: matt@wealthfeed.com Website: wealthfeed.com About the Model FA Podcast The Model FA podcast is a show for fiduciary financial advisors. In each episode, our host David DeCelle sits down with industry experts, strategic thinkers, and advisors to explore what it takes to build a successful practice — and have an abundant life in the process. We believe in continuous learning, tactical advice, and strategies that work — no “gotchas” or BS. Join us to hear stories from successful financial advisors, get actionable ideas from experts, and re-discover your drive to build the practice of your dreams. Did you like this conversation? Then leave us a rating and a review in whatever podcast player you use. We would love your feedback, and your ratings help us reach more advisors with ideas for growing their practices, attracting great clients, and achieving a better quality of life. While you are there, feel free to share your ideas about future podcast guests or topics you'd love to see covered. Our Team: President of Model FA, David DeCelle If you like this podcast, you will love our community! Join the Model FA Community on Facebook to connect with like-minded advisors and share the day-to-day challenges and wins of running a growing financial services firm.
Great episode today... Jacob Hicks is my guest on the podcast. Find him here: https://jacobhickscoach.com We got into the sales process. We discuss: Awareness Persusasion's role in selling Insights Relationships and selling Handwritten notes. This is a tool I've used a lot over the years. The experimentation mindset. Measuring the right things. And, a lot more. I had a lot of fun talking with Jacob. Check out my website at www.DaveWakeman.com. Read a blog. Get a newsletter. Shop in the store.
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Handwritten notes help lead search crews to mom and son stranded in California forest. Shannon and Michael came up with a movie idea so epic! IYKYK: Here Are the Popular Teen 'Texting Codes' Every Parent Should Know.
Documentation isn't just a system—it's a daily habit that you can master.When was the last time you actually enjoyed documenting a meeting or your thought process? For most of us, documentation feels tedious and intimidating. Just the idea of making things “official” can stir up fear that it might one day be used against us. Fortunately, this week's guest brings a fresh perspective on why documentation is worth embracing and mastering.Today's guest is Adrienne Bellehumeur. Adrienne is the owner of Risk Oversight, a consulting firm specializing in SOX, CSOX, internal control, and internal audit programs. She is also the author of The 24-Hour Rule—and Other Secrets for Smarter Organizations, which you can think of as the first “mass market” book on documentation best practices. She regularly speaks about documentation, workflow, and productivity best practices to professional groups and organizations of all sizes and industries.In this episode, Adrienne breaks down the Big D vs. Little D concept, revealing why daily, individual habits matter more than fancy systems.You'll learn how simply processing meeting notes within 24 hours can save your team hours of frustration and rework.We also explore practical strategies, such as using central repositories and establishing team-wide documentation standards. Additionally, we dive into the value of handwritten notes vs. digital tools, and how to avoid “Groundhog Day” meetings by writing things down.If your team keeps having the same conversations or you're buried in sticky notes, this episode is a must-listen.Join the conversation now!Get FREE mini-episode guides with the big idea from the week's episode delivered to your inbox when you subscribe to my weekly email.Conversation Topics(00:00) Introduction(01:47) Big D vs. little D: What you need to know about documentation(04:08) Common manager struggles with meeting notes(08:05) The 24-hour rule explained(12:23) How client audits benefit from quick documentation(18:03) How to capture and present a big chunk of information(22:25) Handwritten notes vs. digital tools: Which works better?(27:19) Keep up with Adrienne(28:18) [Extended Episode Only] How to effectively organize digital documents (34:52) [Extended Episode Only] When to get feedback to avoid rewriting your draftAdditional Resources:- Get the extended episode by joining The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community for just $15 per month- Read the full transcript here- Follow me on Instagram here - Visit my website for more here- Upskill your team here- Subscribe to my YouTube Channel here- Check out The Bullet Journal Method here Keep up with Adrienne Bellehumeur- Follow Adrienne on LinkedIn here- Get a copy of her book here- Check out Risk Oversight here for more information- Visit Adrienne's official website here to keep up with her workFREE 6 Steps of Dynamic Documentation + Productivity as a Team Sport WorkbookAdrienne is giving members of Podcast+ 2 incredible PDFs. First, the 6 Steps of Dynamic Documentation. Whatever your current go-to practices for personal productivity, information management, and documentation look like, these 6 steps will give you simple strategies to work smarter, faster, and better—for yourself, your team, and your whole organization.And second, Productivity as a Team Sport Workbook. This workbook shares the 8 Super Secrets of Team Productivity that have been tested with organizations and professional groups across industries. The focus? Real, lasting results for knowledge workers that teams can apply immediately.To get this bonus and many other member benefits, become a member of The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community.---------------------The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive, and great work gets done.Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you won't miss an episode!
SummaryIn this episode of the Major Gifts Fundraiser podcast, Clark discusses the importance of meaningful connections in fundraising, the introduction of the AI-powered Clark Bot, and practical advice on crafting effective thank you notes. The conversation emphasizes building strong fundraising habits and strategic questions for engaging donors, highlighting the relationship between fundraising success and authentic connections.TakeawaysThe importance of reflecting on whether daily tasks matter in fundraising.Building relationships with donors is as crucial as spending time with family.The Clark Bot is designed to assist fundraisers with practical advice.Handwritten thank-you notes are a powerful tool for donor engagement.Consistency and intentionality are key in building fundraising habits.Daily donor touchpoints can significantly enhance relationships over time.Preparation before donor meetings is essential for success.Reflection after donor interactions helps in continuous improvement.Understanding donor motivations can lead to increased giving.The relationship is the primary focus, with money being a byproduct.
Hear Peter and Christy's account on how their experience was at a Joni and Friends Family Retreat. -------- Thank you for listening! Your support of Joni and Friends helps make this show possible. Joni and Friends envisions a world where every person with a disability finds hope, dignity, and their place in the body of Christ. Become part of the global movement today at www.joniandfriends.org. Find more encouragement on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube.
Join us as we delve into the inspiring story of Amy Wineland Daughters, who found her true calling as a writer while wandering the picturesque landscapes of the English countryside. From humorous columns about her Texan roots to becoming a celebrated sports columnist and published author, Amy's journey is one of passion and unexpected purpose. Connect with Amy Wineland Daughters at her WebsiteFollow Janice on Facebook and InstagramEmail Janice: stopdiets@aol.comJanice's Website: http://stopdiets.comIf you enjoy the podcast, please leave a positive rating and review!
In this epsisode of Insurance Town the mayor sits down with two of his favorite people Jessica Holder and Keenan Rice on a previously recorded episode of the VIP Podcast. I am so impressed with these two, their marriage, parenting, agency, etc this forward-thinking power couple are continuing to rise above and face various challenges head on. Jessica and Keenan have such an amazing balance at home and at the office. They have a great balance of community involvement and innovative technology at their fingertips, and lastly, they have a great balance of work and fun in their agency. We talk about:The delicate balance of marriage and co-ownership of a growing agencyHow human touch and community involvement is possible with the right technology in your agencyHow the emphases on educating their community on the intricacies of insurance is so valuable to their growthTheir powerful message of staying true to yourself and not sacrificing authenticity Get ready to be inspired and educated by this episode. It's a good thing there is a rewind button, this one is full of impactful moments.A special shout out to Vertafore for letting me reuse this episode : vertafore.com A Special Thanks to Our Sponsors:
If you're looking for fresh, effective ways to win expired listings without always relying on cold calling, this episode is for you. Real estate coach and agent Kristi Jencks reveals 5 innovative strategies that cut through the noise and attract sellers—no scripts required.Here's what you will discover...Why direct mail still wins when done the right wayHow to create content that expired sellers are searching forA step-by-step expired strategy box that grabs attentionJump to these topics:
I'm sure there have been people in your life you thought, “I'd like to be like her—or like him.” You saw things in that person which were attractive and endearing, and you desired those qualities for yourself. Well, I want to encourage you to have that attitude toward a man named Joseph. His name was Joseph, but the apostles called him Barnabas, which means Son of Encouragement. You can read about him in Acts 4. Imagine people calling you by a name that signified you were an encouraging person. I can't think of a greater compliment, can you? I want to show you how you can become a Barnabas in your workplace; you can be known as a person who encourages others. A good friend, Traci Mason, has compiled these ideas and allowed me to share them with you. We all recognize our workplaces can be full of discouragement, especially in these days of economic uncertainty. But this gives us a perfect opportunity to help others by becoming an encouraging person. Now, mind you, this will take some time and effort on your part, but the return on your investment will be eternal! So, here are some practical ways you can become a Barnabas where you work: Write notes. Handwritten notes are almost extinct. Keep a supply of note cards and encourage colleagues by placing a note on their desk, in their mailbox, or in their hand. It's easy to make personalized cards on our computers now; so, get creative and write a note just to encourage someone. Send e-cards. It's really easy to send an e-card to your coworkers to let them know you are thinking of them. You can even send the same card to multiple addresses. Employees receive messages that make requests and give instructions. They would surely welcome something more pleasant in their inbox, and an e-card would be a pleasant surprise. Remember birthdays. Find out the birthdates of coworkers, put them on your calendar, and simply give each coworker a birthday card to help them celebrate their special day. We send birthday cards here each month, and I've been amazed at how many people are encouraged to receive a special birthday card. It's so easy to do! Smile! Did you realize a simple smile can cheer up and encourage someone? Smiles are contagious and can brighten the atmosphere where you work. When talking to or passing by others, just turn up the corners of your mouth and flash them a radiant smile. It costs you nothing, and it can really make a difference in someone's day. Greet people! As you enter the workplace, greet coworkers with a simple, “Good morning.” You never know the energy it took for others to arrive at work. A pleasant greeting can start a person's day off right and possibly help them forget about their troubles. Be the Welcome Committee. When a new employee joins the team, introduce yourself and offer to be of assistance. Help that person find his or her way around, offer to have lunch together. Think how comforting it could be for that new colleague, because being the new person can be challenging and a little frightening. Share your lunch. Purposely take more than you can eat for lunch and invite a coworker to eat with you. Or if you baked something special and have some leftovers, bring it in for others to enjoy. You could go the extra mile and ask them ahead of time to share lunch with you the next day. You may be thinking these don't sound very impressive or important, but it is so often the little things we do can touch someone else. These things help them see they are not forgotten, and they are encouraged. Become an encourager on the job. It will make a difference. Here are some more creative ways you can be a Barnabas on the job: Offer to help your boss. That's what I said—offer to help your boss. Instead of running from work or assignments, ask your boss what you can do today to help him or her, especially if you know your boss is under a lot of pressure. Bosses need help just like everybody else, yet often they are overlooked.
Join Physique University (free for 2 weeks) to get a custom, flexible nutrition plan so you can enjoy foods that feel good!–How do you know what's actually in your protein bar? Could sweet potato be the secret ingredient that changes the game?I had a conversation with Tony and Lori, the husband-and-wife team behind Muscle Up Bars, the protein bars born from a dream and built for real performance. We talk about what sets their bars apart in a crowded market: a clean ingredient list, balanced macros, and the power of simplicity. Whether you're a CrossFitter, busy parent, or just someone trying to fuel smarter, this will help you understand what to look for in your supplements and why quality matters.Today, you'll learn all about:2:29 – Dreaming the first recipe5:00 – Why sweet potato is the star9:11 – Breaking down the sugar-to-protein ratio13:16 – Why texture makes it taste real20:32 – Disrupting the market with simplicity23:02 – When and how people use the bars26:28 – Scaling up without selling out39:15 – Handwritten notes and customer love49:32 – OutroEpisode resources:Website: muscleupbars.comInstagram: @muscleupbars Support the show
After months of secrecy, Stassi is finally spilling all the details about Vanderpump Villa Season 2 on the heels of it's explosive new trailer! She details the summer she spent living in a 12th-century Italian castle - from soaking in the magic of Orvieto to making once-in-a-lifetime memories with her family, it was the ultimate dream.Then, she and C-O-Lo get into the pop culture drama—Meghan Markle sent a handwritten letter to Amanda Hirsch, but has still failed to acknowledge Stassi's unwavering support... or send any jam! Stassi has questions. Plus, Hailey Bieber's viral TikTok exposé—was she manifesting Justin or full-on stalking? They break it all down.This episode is sponsored by: OUAI - Go to THEOUAI.com and use code STASSI for 15% off any product. Progressive - Visit Progressive.com to see if you could save on car insurance. Ro - Go to RO.CO/STASSI to see if you qualify. Hiya - Receive 50% off your first order. To claim this deal you must go to hiyahealth.com/STASSI . Audible - Listen to Self-Conscious with Chrissy Teigen. The new wellness podcast from Audible. Go to Audible.com/Chrissypodcast and start listening today. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.