Podcasts about Positioning

Luxury branding strategy for premium positioning is not about surface-level aesthetics. It is about authority, perception, and strategic dominance within a clearly defined niche. For Kathryn Porritt, Founder and CEO of Iconic Empire, luxury branding strategy represents a decisive move away from commoditization and toward category leadership. Many businesses unintentionally anchor themselves in the middle of the market. They compete on incremental value, attempt to appeal to broad audiences, and rely on volume to sustain margins. Over time, this approach compresses pricing power and weakens differentiation. The brand becomes one of many options rather than the only logical choice. Luxury branding strategy challenges that model entirely. After building and selling her own multi-million-dollar company, Kathryn Porritt made a deliberate pivot. Instead of recreating a high-volume enterprise, she chose to work exclusively with accomplished experts and founders ready to reposition at the top of their markets. Her focus became helping extraordinary individuals claim iconic status by refining how they are perceived, priced, and positioned. Ford Saeks has long emphasized that positioning drives profitability. Growth without authority is fragile. When companies focus solely on marketing tactics without clarifying their premium positioning, they remain vulnerable to competition based on price. Luxury branding strategy addresses this vulnerability by elevating perception before pursuing scale. A core principle Kathryn applies is hyper-niching. While conventional wisdom encourages businesses to widen their audience, luxury branding strategy narrows it. The goal is to identify the deepest, most defensible niche where the brand can confidently claim leadership. When that clarity is established, the conversation shifts. Prospects no longer compare features. They evaluate authority. Authority transforms pricing dynamics. Premium positioning allows a business to move from justification to invitation. Rather than explaining why fees are higher, the brand communicates why it is the standard. Another defining characteristic of luxury branding strategy is the concept of descending scale. Traditional models often begin broad and attempt to climb upward into premium offerings. Kathryn advocates the opposite. Establish dominance at the highest tier first. Build brand equity through selective, high-value engagements. Once the brand is firmly anchored at the top, expansion becomes a strategic choice rather than a necessity. This approach mirrors the structure of global luxury houses that begin with exclusive offerings before extending into broader product lines. Prestige precedes scale. Luxury branding strategy also requires commercial clarity. Many experts possess deep mastery but struggle to translate that expertise into premium positioning. They undervalue their own authority because their messaging is diluted by mainstream marketing language. Kathryn's work centers on aligning how the brand communicates with the true level of capability it delivers. Ford Saeks often speaks about perception gaps. A business may generate exceptional outcomes, yet if the market perceives it as average, growth stalls. Luxury branding strategy closes that gap by ensuring that authority is visible, specific, and unmistakable. The economic environment further reinforces the importance of premium positioning. When markets tighten, companies in the middle feel the pressure first. Discounting becomes tempting. However, lowering price rarely strengthens brand equity. Instead, it signals vulnerability. Luxury branding strategy offers an alternative path. Rather than competing lower, compete higher. Premium positioning attracts a different caliber of client. Decision-making becomes more strategic. Engagements are deeper. Margins improve. Alignment increases. The experience shifts from transactional to transformational. Technology, including AI, supports execution but does not replace strategy. Automation can accelerate research, communication, and delivery. However, positioning requires discernment and vision. Tools assist. Leadership defines direction. Luxury branding strategy ultimately demands courage. It requires rejecting the comfort of broad appeal. It requires narrowing focus and standing firmly in a clearly articulated niche. It requires confidence in mastery. For leaders willing to move from commoditized to category leader, luxury branding strategy provides a disciplined framework. It is not about exclusivity for appearance. It is about clarity, authority, and sustainable premium positioning. Fordify LIVE streams every Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. Central across all social media platforms, featuring real-time conversations with business leaders and growth-minded experts. New episodes of The Business Growth Show podcast drop every Thursday. Watch the full episode on YouTube. About Kathryn Porritt Kathryn Porritt is the Founder and CEO of Iconic Empire, a global luxury branding agency dedicated to helping extraordinary individuals claim iconic status in their industries. After building and selling her own multi-million-dollar business, Kathryn made a decisive shift to work exclusively with high-level experts, founders, and thought leaders ready to reposition themselves at the top of their market. Known for her bold perspective on luxury branding strategy, hyper-niching, and premium commercialization, Kathryn helps clients refine their positioning, elevate their authority, and command premium pricing without competing on volume or discounts. Her work spans industries including professional services, consulting, design, real estate, finance, and beyond. Through Iconic Empire, Kathryn has built a reputation for transforming accomplished professionals into category leaders by aligning mastery with strategic market positioning. Learn more at IconicEmpire.com About Ford Saeks Ford Saeks is a Business Growth Accelerator who has generated more than a billion dollars in sales worldwide for companies ranging from startups to Fortune 500 organizations. As President and CEO of Prime Concepts Group, Inc., Ford helps businesses attract loyal customers, expand brand awareness, and ignite innovation through strategic marketing, operational excellence, and leadership development. A tenacious entrepreneur, Ford has founded more than ten companies, authored five books, earned three U.S. patents, and received numerous industry awards. He is widely recognized for his expertise in AI prompt engineering and for training organizations to leverage artificial intelligence to improve operations, marketing, sales, and customer experience. Ford recently showcased this expertise at the Unleash AI for Business Summit, where he demonstrated how ChatGPT is transforming business performance. Through Fordify LIVE and The Business Growth Show, Ford equips leaders with practical strategies that accelerate growth, strengthen positioning, and drive measurable results. Learn more at ProfitRichResults.com and watch his TV show at Fordify.tv.

If your audience is already comfortable and driven by what they enjoy, how do you create a message that actually moves them to act?When you focus too much on problems, struggles, and what could go wrong, you often miss the mark. Many people already have stable jobs, earn sufficient income, and are managing full lives. For them, urgency doesn't come from fear but from something else.Instead of highlighting what's wrong, you need to show them what's possible. A better version of their life, they haven't yet fully considered. More time, more freedom, and more control. When your message connects to what they truly value, it becomes relevant. And that's what drives action.In this episode of Diamond Life Mentor Uncut, Balazs W Kardos shares a powerful sales strategy for reaching an audience that most entrepreneurs overlook.You will hear key insights on:Positioning your message around both pain and pleasureSegmenting your audience, especially in the health and wellness spaceUnderstanding what your audience actually valuesCreating urgency for people who are not strugglingLeveraging health and wellness opportunities effectivelyBalazs emphasizes that you're not just selling to a broad market. You're speaking to people in a specific season of life. If you miss that timing, your message won't land.Someone in their early 30s preparing for a family will see time very differently from someone with grown children. Someone financially stable will respond differently from someone trying to get by. When you understand these differences, your message becomes clearer, more relevant, and far more effective.The clearer you are about who you're speaking to, the easier it is to create content that connects and converts.“This is how you get through to people that are not broke, desperate, lack scarcity, because they're so caught up and it's good enough that they can't imagine how much better it could be.” - Balazs W KardosIf you want to learn how to speak to the right person, at the right time, with a message that actually drives action, listen to Episode 162 of DLM Uncut: The Sales Strategy Most Entrepreneurs Ignore, available now on all platforms.

& Business Networking Tips for INTROVERTS Listen to our 3 people Live Coaching Session about POSITIONING & UNIQUENESS CURATOR HOSTPink CEO is the disruptive force behind #PinkCloud9Media, curating the intersection where raw humanity meets successful business go-gettersWhere Humanity Meets BusinessI started noticing something after 500+ conversations with entrepreneurs — the business stuff is interesting, but the human stuff is fabulous.So I've built a space around thathttps://www.patreon.com/PinkCloud9Media/giftwhere founders get real about how they actually think, what broke them, and what drove them forward anywayI ask the questions most hosts skip. You leave with content, connections, and something that actually stays with you & hopefully helps you longterm#MindOverBusiness #EntrepreneurMindset #CEOPsychology #HumanPotential

In this episode of Grounded and Aligned™, Karen examines a recurring situation at senior levels: leaders who consistently deliver, operate at the next level, and still do not get promoted.The issue is not capability or performance. It is how promotion decisions are actually formed inside large organizations.If you are operating at Director, VP, or SVP level and relying on execution to carry you forward, this episode focuses on what sits outside your direct output: how decisions are shaped, who influences them, and how your positioning is interpreted when you are not in the room.Karen looks atThe structural gap between strong execution and weak positioning in promotion discussionsHow promotion decisions are formed collectively, and why individual performance is insufficient at senior levelsThe difference between being known and being relevant to decision-makers' prioritiesThe role of advocacy, sponsorship, and silence in shaping promotion outcomesHow early relationship-building influences credibility long before opportunities are formally discussedWhat happens when leaders opt out of political dynamics and how that affects their visibility in decision processesAt senior levels, progression is determined less by what you deliver and more by how your work is carried into decision-making forums by others. If your scope is already expanding but your positioning is not, the gap will become visible when promotion decisions are made.Next steps:If your scope has recently expanded and you are operating with greater visibility and stakeholder complexity, a short, structured reset can materially improve how you deploy your time and authority. Book a Focus-15. In 15 minutes, you will clarify what requires your attention now, what no longer does, where to focus to reinforce authority, and one concrete adjustment to implement immediately. You will leave with a clear direction for the next 30 days.https://www.karengombault.com/scheduleFollow Karen's writing on Substack, where she examines the structural importance of relationships and alignment at senior levels.https://karengombault.substack.com

“How do I get seen in an online space that is crowded”? One of the main questions I get as a content marketer and social media manager.How about we take a second to think outside the box and confirm how we might position ourselves over just being visible online. I have an amazing guest on this episode to take us through the difference between simply being visible online and intentionally positioning yourself as an authority. So if you've ever wondered how to stand out in a noisy online world, this conversation will challenge you to think beyond just showing up…and start positioning yourself where it truly matters.If you LOVED this episode, make sure you share this on your Instagram stories and tag us @contentqueenmariah and @christellebiiga.⁠⁠⁠LEARN THE DETAILS OF A CONTENT STRATEGY WITH MY FREE AUDIO GUIDE⁠⁠⁠KEY EPISODE TAKEAWAYS

Jacob Warwick is an executive negotiation coach who helps senior operators negotiate better salary, equity, titles, and severance packages. He has worked with leaders across tech and Hollywood, was previously a founder and CEO himself, and has helped clients secure millions in additional compensation. His approach focuses on collaboration over confrontation, understanding motivations, and treating job searches like enterprise sales processes.We discuss:1. Why a simple “What's the chance there's a little more here?” often unlocks a 20% bump2. Why Jacob sees 40% average movement when negotiations are run well3. When negotiation actually starts (hint: it's much earlier than you think)4. Why information + timing create power5. The biggest mistakes people make when negotiating6. How to navigate the important “What's your comp expectation?” question without anchoring too low7. Why the best interviews feel more like discovery calls than interrogations—Brought to you by:Orkes—The enterprise platform for reliable applications and agentic workflowsMercury—Radically different bankingOmni—AI analytics your customers can trust—Episode transcript: https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/the-tactical-playbook-for-getting-more-comp—Archive of all Lenny's Podcast transcripts: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/yxi4s2w998p1gvtpu4193/AMdNPR8AOw0lMklwtnC0TrQ?rlkey=j06x0nipoti519e0xgm23zsn9&st=ahz0fj11&dl=0—Where to find Jacob Warwick:• Substack: https://www.execsandthecity.com• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ExecsandtheCity• Website: https://www.thinkwarwick.com• Complete Job Search Course: https://www.execsandthecity.com/p/complete-job-search-course—Where to find Lenny:• Newsletter: https://www.lennysnewsletter.com• X: https://twitter.com/lennysan• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lennyrachitsky/—In this episode, we cover:(00:00) Introduction to Jacob Warwick(04:12) How much comp people leave on the table(07:52) Why you shouldn't feel greedy asking for more(09:45) What founders should know about negotiation(13:03) How Jacob works behind the scenes(15:35) The biggest mistakes people make when negotiating(19:30) Home-field advantage and controlling the conversation(23:02) The step-by-step approach to negotiating an offer(30:17) Jacob's passion and why these tips don't work on kids(32:04) Who should speak first about compensation(35:36) Understanding power(39:52) Breaking out of salary bands by focusing on pain points(45:45) Brief summary(47:20) Selling the vacation: How to visualize success(50:07) Controlling the narrative and planting seeds(59:01) Jacob's role as hype man(01:01:05) Positioning yourself like a product(01:02:49) Making the process frictionless for hiring managers(01:06:20) Flipping the interview to extract information(01:12:17) Five tactical tips for negotiating comp(01:21:45) What to do when negotiations fall apart(01:25:05) Why negotiation is different for every individual(01:28:55) Why outcomes aren't predetermined(01:32:52) Wild Hollywood negotiation stories(01:37:35) The first step you should take after getting an offer(01:40:30) Jacob's personal mission(01:44:42) Lightning round and final thoughts—Referenced:• The ultimate guide to negotiating your comp: https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/the-ultimate-guide-to-negotiating• Sam Altman on X: https://x.com/sama• Tom Brady on X: https://x.com/TomBrady• Career Huddle: Interview & Negotiation Master Class with Jacob Warwick: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TgjWTiSj8E8• Salesforce: https://www.salesforce.com• Julia Roberts: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julia_Roberts• Matt Damon: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matt_Damon• Steven Spielberg: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steven_Spielberg• Marc Andreessen: The real AI boom hasn't even started yet: https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/marc-andreessen-the-real-ai-boom• Chris Voss's quote: https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/10181396-remember-never-be-so-sure-of-what-you-want-that• Chris Voss on X: https://x.com/fbinegotiator• Werewolf: https://playwerewolf.co• Modes of persuasion: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modes_of_persuasion• How to use tactical empathy: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/christophervoss_tacticalempathy-negotiation-customerexperience-activity-7361004118808670212-oeRy• ZOPA, BATNA and Win-Win in Negotiation: https://www.parallelprojecttraining.com/blog/zopa-batna-and-win-win-in-negotiation• Marvel: https://www.marvel.com• Negotiation Made Simple podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2227030• Luca on Disney+: https://www.disneyplus.com/browse/entity-f28b825f-c207-406b-923a-67f85e6d90e0• Minuscule: https://www.youtube.com/user/Minuscule• Claude Cowork: https://claude.com/product/cowork• Macrofactor: https://macrofactor.com• Whoop: https://www.whoop.com• Gemini: https://gemini.google.com/app• The Cody Dieruf Foundation: https://breathinisbelievin.org• Cystic Fibrosis Foundation: https://www.cff.org—Recommended books:• Negotiation Games: https://www.amazon.com/Negotiation-Games-Routledge-Advances-Theory/dp/0415308941• Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion: https://www.amazon.com/Influence-Psychology-Persuasion-Robert-Cialdini/dp/006124189X• You Can Negotiate Anything: How to Get What You Want: https://www.amazon.com/You-Negotiate-Anything-Herb-Cohen/dp/0806541229• Negotiation Made Simple: A Practical Guide for Solving Problems, Building Relationships, and Delivering the Deal: https://www.amazon.com/Negotiation-Made-Simple-Relationships-Delivering/dp/1400336325• Radical Candor: Be a Kick-Ass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity: https://www.amazon.com/Radical-Candor-Kick-Ass-Without-Humanity/dp/1250103509• High Output Management: https://www.amazon.com/High-Output-Management-Andrew-Grove/dp/0679762884• How to Win Friends and Influence People: https://www.amazon.com/How-Win-Friends-Influence-People/dp/0671027034—Production and marketing by https://penname.co/. For inquiries about sponsoring the podcast, email podcast@lennyrachitsky.com.—Lenny may be an investor in the companies discussed. To hear more, visit www.lennysnewsletter.com

In this episode, Jack Cochran and Matthew James continue their conversation with Micah Joel, diving deep into the metrics that matter when building and justifying a demo engineering team. Micah shares practical approaches to measuring the value of demo engineering, from simple time-saving calculations to sophisticated surveys that capture SE satisfaction and retention indicators. The conversation explores how to frame these metrics in terms that senior management cares about, moving beyond technical accomplishments to demonstrate real business impact.   Micah emphasizes the importance of thinking "top down" when building a demo engineering organization, focusing on what leadership values most: productivity, cost savings, and revenue growth. He shares real-world examples from his time at Salesforce's Q Branch, including how to measure the value of demo environments, how to identify unexpected patterns in the data (like deals where demo engineers get involved), and how cultivating relationships with SEs creates goodwill that extends beyond the numbers. The discussion also covers how demo engineering impacts go-to-market speed for new products and how to position the team as mission-critical support for field teams rather than just a technical function. Follow Us Connect with Jack Cochran: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackcochran/ Connect with Matthew James https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewyoungjames/  Connect with Micah Joel: https://www.linkedin.com/in/micahjoel/ Links and Resources Mentioned Join Presales Collective Slack: https://www.presalescollective.com/slack Sol/Con 2026 (Chicago, August 2026): https://www.presalescollective.com/solcon-2026 Presales Collective Podcast: https://www.presalescollective.com/podcast Key Topics Covered Establishing baseline metrics for demo engineering through time-saving calculations Using SE surveys to measure demo environment value and satisfaction Identifying retention indicators at 3-year and 7-year tenure marks Reducing technical barriers to hiring SEs through better demo tooling Thinking "top down" to align metrics with senior management priorities Measuring go-to-market speed and time-to-revenue for new products Building goodwill and political capital with SE teams Branding your demo engineering team with effective metaphors Course-correcting when metrics don't align with expectations Positioning demo engineering within the organization structure Timestamps 00:00 Welcome  02:55 Measuring time saved with tooling  09:20 Reducing technical hiring barriers  13:50 Building the overall business case  18:30 When metrics don't line up  21:20 Product-to-Market (P2M)  27:40 Final thoughts on top-down thinking  

This conversation was originally released in February of 2025. We're replaying this episode because Cognex sits right at the intersection of AI and robotics. As the market focuses more on physical AI and automation in 2026, machine vision is becoming an increasingly important part of that story. Today we are breaking down Cognex, the leader in machine vision. Cognex builds the cameras, sensors, and software that allow factories and logistics systems to see. Their technology inspects products, detects defects, reads barcodes, and guides robots across manufacturing lines and warehouses around the world. Cognex is not your typical recurring revenue story. It is a cyclical industrial business that has grown by repeatedly finding new “S-curves” in automation. From early semiconductor inspection to modern logistics systems and AI-driven vision, the company has spent decades expanding the applications of machine vision across industries. Our guest today is Brett Larson from NZS Capital. Brett walks us through the history of machine vision, Cognex's unique culture and founder story, and the company's position inside the broader automation ecosystem. We also discuss how Cognex sells into factories, the competitive dynamics with companies like Keyence, and why new technologies like deep learning could unlock the next wave of growth. For the full show notes, transcript, and links to the best content to learn more, check out the episode page here.  ----- Become a Colossus member to get our quarterly print magazine and private audio experience, including exclusive profiles and early access to select episodes. Subscribe at ⁠colossus.com/subscribe⁠. ----- This episode is brought to you by⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Portrait Analytics⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - your centralized resource for AI-powered idea generation, thesis monitoring, and personalized report building. Built by buy-side investors, for investment professionals. We work in the background, helping surface stock ideas and thesis signposts to help you monetize every insight. In short, we help you understand the story behind the stock chart, and get to "go, or no-go" 10x faster than before. Sign-up for a free trial today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠portraitresearch.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ----- Stay up to date on all our podcasts by signing up to Colossus Weekly, our quick dive every Sunday highlighting the top business and investing concepts from our podcasts and the best of what we read that week. Sign up here. ----- Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thepodcastconsultant.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠). Timestamps (00:00:00) Sponsor: Portrait Analytics (00:01:42) Update on Cognex  (00:02:53) Welcome to Business Breakdowns  (00:03:41) Episode Intro  (00:05:09) What is Cognex and What They Do  (00:07:10) Hardware vs Software and Human Interaction  (00:07:58) Market Size of Machine Vision  (00:08:59) Cognex's Market Share and Positioning  (00:13:01) Sales Channels and Customer Types  (00:14:17) History and Origin of Cognex  (00:17:49) Deep Learning vs Rules-Based Programming Examples  (00:22:18) Customer Stickiness and Sales Contracts  (00:27:41) Understanding S-Curves and CapEx Cycles  (00:29:35) Culture and Leadership  (00:40:08) Valuation and Risks  (00:44:42) Key Lessons from Cognex

Chris Rodgers' twenty-five-year journey from psychology student to digital marketing pioneer reveals a fundamental truth: the most sustainable competitive advantage comes from understanding human behavior before deploying technology. His founding of CSP Agency validates this principle—after organic search traffic to his own website generated unsolicited inquiries from across the country and internationally, he recognized that authentic proof of capability is the most powerful marketing tool available, a lesson that has shaped every strategic decision at the agency for thirteen years. What elevates Chris beyond typical industry practitioners is his ability to translate painful business lessons into transformative frameworks. As someone simultaneously building a new GEO program while leading a thirteen-year-old agency and raising two young children, Rodgers embodies the principle that sustainable growth depends on cultivating teams capable of executing vision rather than concentrating all responsibility in a single leader. For organizations ready to compete effectively in AI-driven search environments, Chris Rodgers' core insight is non-negotiable: strategy precedes tools, and human insight must direct AI deployment, not the reverse. To discover how CSP Agency applies these principles to drive measurable business transformation for mid-market enterprises and e-commerce leaders, visit CSP Agency and explore their human-first, AI-enhanced approach to generative engine optimization and digital strategy. For the accessible version of the podcast, go to our Ziotag gallery.We're happy you're here! Like the pod?Support the podcast and receive discounts from our sponsors: https://yourbrandamplified.codeadx.me/Leave a rating and review on your favorite platformFollow @yourbrandamplified on the socialsTalk to my digital avatar Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

OptionsPlay's Tony Zhang says investors are "demanding hedging" at current VIX levels and a challenging environment for the Fed. He talks about how geopolitical uncertainty around Iran and energy price spikes play a role in options activity and ways traders can protect their portfolios. He offers a put spread example trade for the SPY and a cash secured put trade for SLB. ======== Schwab Network ========Empowering every investor and trader, every market day.Options involve risks and are not suitable for all investors. Before trading, read the Options Disclosure Document. http://bit.ly/2v9tH6DSubscribe to the Market Minute newsletter - https://schwabnetwork.com/subscribeDownload the iOS app - https://apps.apple.com/us/app/schwab-network/id1460719185Download the Amazon Fire Tv App - https://www.amazon.com/TD-Ameritrade-Network/dp/B07KRD76C7Watch on Sling - https://watch.sling.com/1/asset/191928615bd8d47686f94682aefaa007/watchWatch on Vizio - https://www.vizio.com/en/watchfreeplus-exploreWatch on DistroTV - https://www.distro.tv/live/schwab-network/Follow us on X – https://twitter.com/schwabnetworkFollow us on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/schwabnetworkFollow us on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/schwab-network/About Schwab Network - https://schwabnetwork.com/about

“Focus on your practice as a brand.” Connect With Our SponsorsGreyFinch - https://greyfinch.com/jillallen/ SmileSuite - https://getsmilesuite.com/ Summary In this episode of Hey Docs!, Jill Allen sits down with Davin Bickford from WildSmiles Braces. They delve into the transformative shift towards early orthodontic intervention and the pivotal role of patient experience in driving practice growth. As the orthodontic landscape evolves, practices are increasingly focusing on treating younger patients, enhancing patient interactions, and building a strong, recognizable brand. This episode provides valuable insights into how these strategies can help orthodontic practices thrive in a competitive market. Connect With Our Guest WildSmiles Braces - https://www.wildsmilesbraces.com/ Takeaways Focus on treating patients under 14 to build long-term relationships.Enhance satisfaction and loyalty through personalized care.Establish a strong brand for premium pricing and differentiation.Use fun brace designs can attract young patients and build engagement.Ensure team buy-in for successful implementation of new approaches.Leverage tech and social media to add value and improve outcomes.Positioning your practice as a brand, not just a service, can create greater loyalty.Watch trends to focus on branding and patient-centered care for future success.Chapters 00:00 Introduction03:46 WildSmiles Evolution04:41 Why Under 14 Matters09:47 Branding Beyond Fees12:50 Engaging the Ops Pool14:56 Brackets vs Experience19:22 Add Value During Observation22:53 Boosting Observation Conversions24:55 Overcoming Team Resistance26:02 CEO Mindset and Market Defense29:54 Training the Whole Team33:28 How to Contact WildSmiles Episode Credits:  Hosted by Jill AllenProduced by Jordann KillionAudio Engineering by Garrett LuceroAre you ready to start a practice of your own? Do you need a fresh set of eyes or some advice in your existing practice?Reach out to me- www.practiceresults.com.    If you like what we are doing here on Hey Docs! and want to hear more of this awesome content, give us a 5-star Rating on your preferred listening platform and subscribe to our show so you never miss an episode.    New episodes drop every Thursday!   

Positioning yourself to have the greatest impact on others requires thought and intention in order to create a progressive pattern. Stay tuned for great tips on developing your “right touch” to generate an atmosphere free of judgment, comparison, and expectation. The post Episode 202—Your Right Touch appeared first on Endless Brain Energy.

In this episode 73, I share my approach to choosing coaches, investing wisely, and building a successful business through strategic coaching and personal development. I emphasize the importance of clarity, long-term vision, faith, and action in making coaching investments that accelerate growth.In this episode, How I Choose Coaches (and questions I ask before investing in rooms), I cover:→ Why I get clear on my needs, bottlenecks, and business goals first→ Why I make coaching decisions based on my long-term vision→ Why I pray, look, and then move when the fit is right→ How I evaluate whether a coach has real depth of knowledge→ How I think about high-ticket investments and ROI→ Why showing up and doing the work matters just as much as choosing the right coach→ The questions I ask before joining a group program or mastermind→ Why I aim to be the kind of client I would want in my own programWhether I'm hiring for ads, sales, messaging, digital products, or business growth, this episode will help me make smarter, stronger investment decisions in the rooms I choose.Key Topics:• How to select the right coach based on needs and goals• The importance of long-term vision in coaching investments• Faith and prayer as part of decision-making in business• The role of integrity and competence in coaching• Strategies for leveraging coaching to accelerate business growthSound Bites:"Coaching accelerates my personal progress tremendously.""AI is only as good as the humans who feed it.""Investing in coaching is about ROI, not expense.""Coaching accelerates my personal progress tremendously.""AI is only as good as the humans who feed it.""Investing in coaching is about ROI, not expense."

Rob Wormley, Founder of WG and Groundcrew Partners, joins Brendon Dennewill to expose the gap most companies never talk about, the distance between a polished positioning strategy and actual revenue execution. Whether you're running a SaaS startup or a home services franchise, the problem is the same: great frameworks gathering dust in Google Drive while pipeline stalls. Rob shares how he helps leadership teams cut through the noise, pick the right 90-day plays, and build messaging that creates urgency, not just awareness. What You'll LearnWhy positioning is an operational imperative, not a marketing problem, and who should actually own itHow the strategy-to-activation gap silently kills revenue in both tech startups and franchise businessesThe inverted funnel framework Rob uses to move from brand identity → market strategy → 90-day tactical executionWhy AI-generated messaging creates a "same data, same output" commoditization trap, and the human layer that fixes itHow home service franchises can use AI phone assistants to capture revenue they're currently leaving on the tableThe messaging audit every leadership team should run this quarter before spending another dollar on campaignsResources MentionedWG Groundcrew PartnersChatGPT / Claude / Gemini Google Business ProfileZapposIs your business ready to scale? Take the Growth Readiness Score to find out. In 5 minutes, you'll see: Benchmark data showing how you stack up to other organizations A clear view of your operational maturity Whether your business is ready to scale (and what to do next if it's not) Let's Connect Subscribe to the RevOps Champions Newsletter LinkedIn YouTube Explore the show at revopschampions.com. Ready to unite your teams with RevOps strategies that eliminate costly silos and drive growth? Let's talk!

Tim LaComb joined DJ & PK to talk about the Utah Jazz and the BYU Cougars in his weekly visit on the show.

Catch “The Drive with Spence Checketts” from 2 pm to 6 pm weekdays on ESPN 700 & 92.1 FM. Produced by Porter Larsen. The latest on the Utah Jazz, Real Salt Lake, Utes, BYU + more sports storylines.

Pricing isn't a math problem; it's an offer problem. Expertise has become a commodity, but premium results still require a leadership identity. Stop acting like an assistant and start trading information for influence to own the true value of your work. Lori breaks down why the client problem is never about your posting schedule - it's about who you promise they will become. Highlights: The 4 R's Framework: A roadmap through Reveal, Release, Redefine, and Rise. Imposter Syndrome as a Signal: Why feeling like a fraud is actually evidence that your growth is working. AI vs. Human Value: Why AI can't hold tension or witness the "aha" moments that justify premium fees. Positioning over Marketing: Why the promise of identity shift creates investment while templates create comparison.   Schedule your Profitable Path Blueprint call.  If you're considering working together and want to see if it's a fit, book a Profitable Path Blueprint Call. It's a simple, no-pressure conversation to decide whether working together makes sense.  Resources: Click HERE to receive your free gift - Get Clients to Say "YES!" The Ultimate Social Proof Checklist Every Business Needs to Build Trust and Boost Sales Join Lori's private Facebook group - The Midlife Business Academy. A Facebook group for The Typewriter Generation!  A community to share business growth strategies that work for us! Join now!   Connect with Lori Follow me on social media - grab other free resources of book a call - it's all right here! Apply for a "Hot Seat" coaching session to work through your business challenges live: MyCoachLori.com

Your customers didn't call you for life insurance. They called for auto and home. So why are you pitching it like a separate conversation?In this episode, I break down the exact four-step framework I used to make life insurance feel like it belongs in every P&C conversation — not bolted on at the end like some random afterthought.Here's what we cover:→ Why positioning is everything — and the 6 positionings that make life insurance a logical extension of the auto and home conversation → The "coffee vs. five-course steak dinner" mistake that's killing your close rate → The PPSB Framework (Positioning, Problem, Solution, Benefits) — the bones of every life insurance conversation → Why starting small and solving one immediate need gets more people to yes than a full needs analysis ever will → The funnel system that turns every small policy into a bigger one over time → Why every life insurance policy you write this year becomes an annual review opportunity you didn't have beforeStop treating life insurance like a detour. Start making it complement what your customers already care about.Want to learn the exact scripts and frameworks? Cross Sell Academy enrollment is open now. Learn about Cross Sell Academy for your team: https://calendly.com/lifeinsurancetraining/demoJoin my free live training on how to handle the most common life insurance objections when cross selling life insurance: https://insurancesalespro.org/webinarregistration✅ Subscribe to Colter's FREE insurance sales trainings:Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-35rEOirer-rBo62SAokawApple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-life-insurance-training-show/id1675925320Spotify:⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/0EYYJYvouM22DfuAcYjhiK?si=m8gTTwvFReGfSIGQ7yZHcQ⁠Private Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/sSe3faCfV6KLVJh4/

SHOW NOTES:In this episode, Matt Zaun sits down with talent agent and founder Monique Sar to unpack what it really takes for executives, founders, and high performers to break into the professional speaking world. Monique represents speakers and influencers, helping them land deals and build speaking careers, and she doesn't sugarcoat the process.They talk about why your past success in business doesn't automatically translate into high speaking fees, why “getting your reps in” matters more than your résumé, and how to position yourself so event organizers actually understand what you speak about and why they should book you.

Don't mistake the allure of a shiny new logo for the true engine behind a thriving business. In this episode, Michelle teams up with Cody to demystify the branding process, tracing the journey from "just good enough" placeholders to strategic, confidence-building design. Their conversation is packed with takeaways on aligning investment with growth, clarifying your business vision, and knowing when a rebrand is the right move— not just the next one. Honest, practical, and full of energy, this episode is your ticket to creating a brand that not only looks the part but truly moves your business forward. ------------------------ In today's episode, we cover the following: What an online business manager is How Cody and Michelle met Evolution of Cody's services Making the jump from corporate to freelance Branding decisions in early business stages The shift from "nice to have" to "need to have" in business expenses The branding process with MKW Creative Co. Brand naming and final selection Brand strategy: analogy and visual direction Positioning against competitors Impact of new branding on Cody and her business ---------------------- RESOURCES: Episode 128: Meet the Team: Online Business Manager Cody Garner-Howe Episode 195: Optimizing Your Business with Cody Garner-Howe Episode 241: 10 Most Common Rebranding Questions Answered Episode 257: Why You're Bored of Your Brand (And What to Do About It) ---------------------- Guest info: To learn more about Cody and to watch her upcoming brand launch for Opside Studio, follow her on Instagram @CodyOBM, on LinkedIn @CodyGarnerHowe, and visit her website CodyGarnerHowe.com/ ----------------------- Stop managing software and start hosting your people. This episode is sponsored by Heartbeat. Create an authentic community today and start your free trial at App.Heartbeat.Chat/KMA. Once you're ready to upgrade your plan, use code KMA30 for 30% off.   P.S. Want to be a community member before creating your own? Join the Kiss My Aesthetic community there today at App.Heartbeat.Chat/kissmyaesthetic/invitation?code=2FEB4G. ----------------------- WORK WITH MKW CREATIVE CO.   Connect on social with Michelle at: Kiss My Aesthetic Facebook Group Instagram Tik Tok -----------------------   -- COFFEE -- Did you know that the fuel of the POD and the KMA Team runs on coffee? ;) If you love the content shared in the KMA podcast, you're welcome to invite us to a cup of coffee any time - Buy Me a Coffee! -- ZENCASTR -- This episode is brought to you by Zencastr. Create high-quality video and audio content. Get your first two weeks free at https://zencastr.com/?via=kma . -- AUDIBLE -- This episode of the Kiss My Aesthetic Podcast is brought to you by Audible. Get your first month free at www.audible.com/kma.   This episode was edited by Berta Wired Theme music by: Eliza Rosevera and Nathan Menard

If your business is built on your thinking, your insight, and your ability to diagnose problems, giving strategy away for free is not generosity. It's a broken revenue model. Too many consultants, advisors, and service-based professionals fall into the same pattern. We jump on call after call, answer “quick questions,” and unpack strategy before someone has made any real commitment. It feels productive in the moment. But the reality is different. Time gets drained. Energy disappears. Proposals get ghosted. And while we're entertaining window shoppers, the people who are actually ready to invest are waiting. In this episode, we break down the mindset shift many consultants need to make: clarity itself has value. Diagnosing problems, identifying direction, and helping someone understand what to do next is real work. Lawyers charge for advice. Doctors charge for diagnosis. Accountants charge for insight. Strategists, marketers, and consultants should too. In addition, let's unpack the larger reality happening across modern marketing and business. Why many companies misuse paid advertising, why marketing cannot fix weak products, and why the explosion of AI-driven content makes authentic positioning and human connection more important than ever. If you're a consultant, strategist, coach, or service-based entrepreneur who feels stuck chasing conversations that never convert, this episode will challenge how you think about value, boundaries, and how you position your expertise in the market. Key Topics Covered: Why letting people “pick your brain” for free undermines your business The hidden revenue cost of endless discovery calls Why chasing vanity metrics and pipeline volume can hurt real growth The difference between window shoppers and serious buyers Why clarity, diagnosis, and strategy are valuable services How consultants accidentally train clients to expect free expertise Why marketing cannot fix weak products or poor positioning When paid advertising actually works and when it doesn't Why human creativity and connection still matter in an AI-driven market How boundaries and positioning increase both revenue and respect Beyond The Episode Gems: Buy My Book, Strategize Up: The Blueprint To Scale Your Business: StrategizeUpBook.com Discover All Podcasts On The HubSpot Podcast Network Get Free HubSpot Marketing Tools To Help You Grow Your Business Grow Your Business Faster Using HubSpot's CRM Platform Support The Podcast & Connect With Troy:  Rate & Review iDigress: iDigress.fm/Reviews Follow Troy's Socials @FindTroy: LinkedIn, Instagram, Threads, TikTok Subscribe to Troy's YouTube Channel For Strategy Videos & See Masterclass Episodes Need Growth Strategy, A Keynote Speaker, Or Want To Sponsor The Podcast? Go To FindTroy.com

Show DescriptionChris talks through going public with CodePen v2's beta, the magic words and AI skills needed today, Chris has a beef with anchor positioning, thoughts on classless CSS libraries, Eleventy growing up into Build Awesome, and how would you pass an hour by quickly? (Hopefully by listening to this podcast.) Listen on WebsiteWatch on YouTubeLinks Magic Words Anchor Interpolated Morph (AIM) · January 23, 2026 Build Awesome by Font Awesome Build Awesome: We're pausing our Kickstarter! Build a Web Site in 7 Minutes with Build Awesome Quiet UI Good Sudoku CodePen

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He agrees to be her focus group for demoing toys in the adult toy store.By Norweger. Listen to the ►Podcast at Steamy Stories.Can I help you?I glanced aside from the colourful products on display right in front of me, blushing mildly. The shopkeeper had done the rounds, and I, being lost in thought in front of the Toys; male, solo shelf hadn t noticed her approaching. Well, I could hardly deny I was thinking of buying a Fleshlight, as I held one; well, a securely wrapped one, luckily; in my hands as I met her friendly gaze.I, ah Fuck. Going to an adult toy shop shouldn t be embarrassing, should it? My cheeks and earlobes grew pretty pink. Well, I m just browsing, to be honest, IShe nodded. ‘Those are real good, by the way. She giggled. Well, good quality. Easy to keep clean. Rugged. For obvious reasons, I haven t taken one for a test drive myself.I chuckled, feeling my awkwardness recede a bit. That s one way of putting it. For obvious reasons I thought before answering Well, I could hardly expect you to have, could I? That being said, shops like this are quite particular, no? Normally, asking the shopkeeper for recommendations and whether she d used the product herself would be reasonable, but here, I guess it would get me me-too d right away? How do you actually reply if someone holds up something and asks, well, is this one any good?I smiled weakly while feeling my cheeks getting rosier again, hoping I hadn t overstepped any bounds. I got a chuckle for my trouble. Well, please try to keep the exciting images out of your mind, but to tell you the truth, we do test quite a lot of the stuff we sell.She blushed a little, herself. Well, we must buy them, of course, though at a steep discount. She turned her gaze down as the sentence trailed off, giving me a chance to look her over without being too obvious about it as the images she d been warning me about started to manifest themselves to my inner eye. I guessed she could be in her early thirties, a few years younger than me. Quite cute, slender, narrow hips, a loose-fitting, turquoise sweater doing its best to hide her ample bosom I d already undressed her in my mind, trying to imagine her testing the huge dildos in the glass display cabinet right behind her.Oh no, I hadn t been blushing earlier. Now; NOW I was blushing.She lifted her gaze again and giggled. Let me guess. Exciting images?I could hardly deny it, and she could hardly take affront, either. I turned my own gaze down, intensely studying my rather rumpled leather boots. There was no way in hell I d be able to meet her stare while saying it. Oh, guilty as charged. I made a helpless gesture with my arm towards the toys on display I imagined both this and that, I ll admit.Well, there s a reason we don t have fitting rooms, you know! Her giggle turned to a quick laugh which she stifled as quickly. I felt my mood rise just by hearing it; it had a chirping quality, sounded almost like a bird s cry. In improving spirits; and, frankly, quite turned on; this young, cute woman had more or less told me that she test ran a lot of the toys in the store. Now my eyes wandered around the room, desperate not to meet her stare, while every time I saw something titillating I imagined her using it on herself. Not that there was anything extraordinary about a woman in her thirties enjoying herself, but the mere thought, as she was standing two feet away from me Fuck. I was rock hard. I hoped it wasn t too obvious.Here goes nothing. Had I first said A, I might as well say B, too. I felt a bit braver, thinking we could spin a bit on this, while still keeping it innocent. She looked amused, too. That s kind of unfair, though, isn t it? Any woman walking into this store can get, ah, expert advice, whereas I, as a man, will have to take your word for it Oh, this one is good; I haven t tried it, but it is good, believe me!She laughed. Loud. I swear to all that s holy, had we ever had a male shop assistant here, he d be loaded down with all the male solo toys we could muster and be told to test the hell out of them; and take notes while he was at it! She turned serious. Wouldn t do you much good, though; I d be most surprised if there s even a single man in town who d casually ask another if that sex toy of his was any good or not.I d have to give her that. Chitchatting about sex did come a lot easier when I did it with a woman.Just that. There s a reason we re all women working here, she smiled. Women sell better to both men and women than, say, a fifty-something, balding, pudgy male in a soiled T-shirt and sweat pants. She chuckled. Beg your pardon for letting my prejudices shine through, by the way.I laughed out loud again, realizing I was getting close to asking her what she did once she d closed shop; she had, in a few minutes since I d become aware she even existed, shown herself to be one of those all too rare people who could get me in a good mood simply by being there; and that she could quip about sex and seemingly be at ease was an added bonus. Plus, of course, she was incredibly cute. I caught the warm, brown eyes peering out under her unruly mop of reddish hair, trying to come up with a suitable response before the silence became awkward or she trotted on through the shop, ending our moment.She glanced down at her watch, and my heart sank like a stone; opportunity wasted, I thought; until I heard what she had to say.Look Now I want you to be real careful; not getting the wrong idea as to what I am suggesting, okay? You are not going to have sex with me, capisce? Well, she had my full and undivided attention, even if I wouldn t get to sleep with her. I nodded, firmly. No fucking her. OK.I m about to close shop, now. If you, ahem, would like to test the fleshlight before you buy it, you can do so, okay? But, you re going to have to buy it afterwards, obviously. The lube is on the house.I gawked at her. Wow. I nodded, numbly. This couldn t be, could it? But I wouldn t want to miss this for the world. I nodded again, vigorously. She smiled a quick smile, then went to the entrance to lock the doors, glancing over her shoulder at me as she did so, throwing me another smile.Returning, she grabbed a bottle of lube from a shelf, and motioned for me to follow her as she walked past. As if I needed any prodding. It d probably be best to use our office, rather than have you go at it here under the bright lights, she suggested softly. I just shrugged. I d follow her anywhere. My cock was rather a simpleton.As we exited a door with a 'staff only sign at the back of the shop, we entered the kind of storeroom you ll find somewhere in any shop in the world; shelves stocked with all kinds of goods, except Well, these goods were very much adult toys. Darting past a crate packed to the gunwales with inflatable dolls; inflated!, she giggled Meet last year s Christmas decorations; we couldn t sell them, but neither could we bring ourselves to throw them away I shook my head, dumbfounded.She nodded towards a green door near the corner of the storeroom That s where you ll get to find out if the fleshlight is any goodShe opened the door, hinges groaning. I ve been meaning to grease those for ages, wonder if I can use this lube? she mused as we entered a small-ish, run-down office. Lots of papers were covering just about any horizontal surface; a desk with a computer and a phone on it and a small coffee table in front of a battered old sofa tucked into a corner; piles of merchandise along the far wall.Nodding towards the sofa, she suggested I take a seat before seating herself on the office chair by the desk. I hope you don t mind me watching. After all, I have a certain, um, professional interest in seeing how you get along with it, you know. , throwing me another smile; a warm, seemingly genuine one. She didn t appear to be wholly untouched, herself.I fumbled with the packaging. What sadist had invented welded plastic? Probably a good thing when it came to protecting sex toys on display, but when you were about to unwrap it to try it out? Not so much. My audience reached for a pair of scissors and motioned for me to lob her the fleshlight. You get out of your jeans, I ll get this out, OK? she suggested. I nodded, still not trusting my voice to bear.I hardly needed any more encouragement. I tugged at my belt, seconds later dropping my jeans to the floor, stepping out of them. My briefs were unceremoniously shoved down my thighs, and as I rose again, my almost painfully erect cock pointed arrogantly at the ceiling, the shopkeeper raising her eyebrows a little and giggling softly as she took the sight in while cutting open the packaging separating me from instant bliss.With a satisfied Hah! Finally! she pulled the fleshlight from its by now shredded plastic cover and reached over to hand it to me. I shamelessly ogled her cleavage before reverting to holding her gaze. As I said, this is good shit. You won t be able to destroy this one during normal use She proceeded to explain how important it was to clean it after use, stressing that they had both suitable toy cleaner and disinfectant in the store. Most gentle for the silicone, that stuff; unlike the dish soap most people tend to useHer sentence trailed off, apparently she got struck by the same thing I had; that this was an absurd time to discuss maintenance. My apologies, I got a bit carried away. Here.Accepting the toy, I glanced over at the bottle of lube perched on the edge of her desk. Turning around, she reached the bottle and spun back to present it to me. There you go, put lots in the fleshlight, some around the entrance and a little on your johnson, and you re good to go.Nodding, I did as she had suggested; an ample spurt of lube into the pale, pink thingy, then a little around the sculpted pussy lips. Bah, in a way it would have been better if they hadn t tried so hard to make it look like the real thing. Seeing as you wanted my observations, I think it would have been better if it was just an opening, not modeled to look like a real pussy; you know, no matter how good this may turn out to be, it can t possibly compare to the real thingDoh, she exclaimed as she rolled her eyes. I should have mentioned that, there s a neutral version, too; and, believe it or not, a few which are supposedly modeled after famous porn stars pussies, whether you believe it or not. Anyway, they probably all feel the same; just look at something, anything else while you re using it.I d be lying if I claimed I thought it would matter much what it looked like once it was wrapped around me. Squirting a wee bit of lube in the palm of my hand, I stroked myself a couple of times, ensuring I got some on the purplish, swollen head, too; unless I slipped in unhindered, I d be sore afterwards, of that I was certain.Positioning the fleshlight against the glans, I looked over at the shopkeeper. She stared back, eagerly anticipating my next move; not that she d have to be a rocket scientist to figure out what that would be. Gently pressing the fleshlight towards me, I slid into my first silicone pussy. It was just tight enough to feel natural-ish, I d hand the designers that; but it felt rather cold and, well, dead.What s it like? she asked, voice quivering slightly. Oh, not too bad, I replied Though it does feel a bit cold and. ah, dead, if I may say so at the moment, but that should improve shortly Giving it a couple of strokes, I could already feel it begin to warm up.She raised her stare from my fleshlight-wrapped member to meet mine. Fuck me, I really am not doing my job properly, now; I just remembered that the manufacturer recommend that you put it in warm water for a few minutes before use, precisely to avoid that corpse bride-feeling. My apologies.I nodded. That d probably do the trick, I m sure. However ; I let it slide back and forth a few times, feeling the soft silicone caress my oh-so-erect cock; it does feel really good, don t get me wrong; and it keeps getting warmer by the second!Having said that, I stroked myself in silence for a few moments, slowly, deliberately; pulling it off me until my cock emerged from it, exposing the swollen, lube-glistening head for my very attentive audience, then shoving myself into it again. Oh yes, it felt better and better. While no one would ever mistake it for the real thing; well, no one who had ever had the good fortune to have the real thing wrapped around oneself, anyway; it definitely felt good, much better than a simple handjob.It keeps getting better, I grunted. Would work better still if one could take it out of the casing, though; you know, to adjust the pressure, using it as a sleeve over my cock; would feel more alive, then.She nodded. I ll keep that in mind, in case someone asks. I believe you can take it out for cleaning, by the way; so you could probably, um, go au-naturel on it, if that s your preference. ; before again staring at my cock sliding in and out of the toy, mesmerised.I felt like I was being on display; quite naturally, seeing as that was just what I was; but caught myself enjoying it. My audience was really cute and sexy as hell; well, truth be told, I d probably find even Margaret Thatcher hot as fuck if she had stared at my masturbating with that sultry look my watcher now sent me; but I digress. I was turned on, way beyond what I would have been had I been doing the deed at home, alone.I coughed softly, then slowing the pace a bit as I caught her stare again. Uh, I know there won t be any actual sex, that s not what I m fishing for now, but Would you mind, ah, could I Well, have a little glimpse of your charms? Some bare skin? Just to help me over the edge? I must have looked like a pleading puppy, as she burst into laughter, luckily a good-natured one.After first shaking her head, she apparently had second thoughts and nodded. I swallowed. This intensely erotic moment was about to become even hotter. Grabbing the hem of her sweater, she pulled it over her head and revealed a black, low-cut bra and ample cleavage. Lovely, pillowy, full breasts. My pace picked up.Don t you think about touching me, don t even reach for me, OK? she said, sternly. I nodded, hoping I looked like I d be true to my word. God knows how reliable one looks when masturbating to the sight of the girl asking you to keep your hands off her.She apparently found my promise good enough, and, after reaching behind her back for a second, the bra fell into her lap and her breasts swung free. I swallowed again, almost in disbelief. They were really beautiful; round, full and pillowy, large, but not so large as to be saggy; they proudly stood form her chest, slightly pear-shaped, milky white and crowned by the largest, weakly drawn areolas I d ever seen, pale pink, crested with nipples looking as if you d be able to cut glass with them, so hard were they.She was amazing, and I wasted no time telling her so as my cock hardened further still inside the silicone wrapper I was now doing my best to fuck the daylights out of while keeping my eyes locked on the shopkeeper, occasionally falling to her wonderful breasts, but mostly maintaining eye contact.She leant back in her chair, her breasts gently parting. My turn to be mesmerised. I could already feel the familiar tingling telling me my strokes were numbered and my orgasm forthcoming; I d be done for shortly.The fleshlight was now at body temperature, and felt much, much more lifelike, albeit still no match for a woman, I grunted through clenched teeth no muscles milking me, no body thrust against mine, no hands feverishly stroking over my back, hugging me close as orgasm approaches; but it does feel pretty pretty damned good!Nodding absentmindedly, she stroked a hand over her right breast, cupping it, then pinching her nipple between her thumb and index finger, moaning softly.I m about to cum, I grunted, snapping her back to reality. Oh, please do it in that one, huh? , she nodded to an empty mug on the table between us. I want to see you cum. I nodded, feverishly working my cock with the latest addition to my meagre sex toy collection. Lean forward, please , I snapped I want to see those lovely tits swaying under youLaughingly, she obliged, leaning forward, then rocking side to side. Like this, huh? she teased, smiling warmly at me as the heavy globes swayed back and forth under her.Yes. Just like that. There was no use trying to hold back. Two more strokes, and I could feel my orgasm erupting, a tad before I d expected it to. And here I was, figuring I had it under controlI jerked the fleshlight off my cock, throwing it on the floor, sending spurt after spurt of cum over the table, grasping for the mug, missing, shooting another spurt halfway across the room towards her; at least it felt like it; before finally grabbing the mug and shooting the last, feeble spurt into it. I felt my earlobes glow with embarrassment as I came in for landing after the massive orgasm, only to see the mess I d made; cum streaks over invoices, a pack of cigarettes, the table itself, a lighterMy companion laughed, totally losing it in a fit of laughter, her breasts jiggling as she shook You should ve seen yourself!!! , she eventually gasped, regaining some control over herself. It was the most absurd sight I ve ever seen, so incredibly hot, you in the midst of such an orgasm, frantically trying to grab my old mugI joined her, a bit hesitantly at first. It had indeed been comedy hour. I hoped there wasn t a surveillance camera here, for if it did, I d be bound to find myself on some amateur blooper reel shortly.Never mind, though, she giggled. I ll get that cleaned up in no time. Without getting her sweater back on, she left the room. Seconds later I heard the tell-tale sound of water pouring from a faucet and paper being torn from a roll. She returned, hand full of tissue paper, and handed me some. Here, clean yourself up; then I ll show you how to clean your latest conquest afterwards.She leaned in over the table and cleaned up any trace of my little indiscretion. I really had to fight the urge to reach out and touch the lovely form right in front of my eyes; but managed. I d promised, after all; and I d had a wonderful experience, I wouldn t want to ruin it by doing anything which might scare or offend her in any way. I leaned back in the sofa while cleaning most of the lube off my semi-erect cock, softly caressing it as I stared hungrily at her, finishing up the table.I followed her to the cupboard next to the office; standing close to her; still dressed like Venus of Milo, only with arms; in the tiny room, I could feel the warmth of her body against mine as she fumbled the fleshlight open, taking out the silicone innards. Just hold it under lukewarm water, first, to get rid of your cum and the lube, then wipe it clean with a little bit of the toy cleaner I ll give you when we re back in the shop and it ll be ready for its next outing.She glanced up at me, noting my attention was on her, rather than on the most useful instructions she were supplying. Better leave it outside its sheath overnight to allow it to dry properly, she said. Well, unless you find you prefer to use just the inner sleeve, of course. Quick smile.With that, she handed the toy back to me. Just head back out in the shop, you. I ll be with you in a minute, just need to get dressed. I was treated to a smile too cute to be believed, and I was bright enough not to overstay my welcome by asking for just a few more glimpses of her.I threw a last, longing glance at her beautiful, curvy shape, met her gaze; a rather lustful one at that!; and smiled at her. I ll do some window shopping, then, see if I find more playthings catching my fancy. I then turned and briskly headed back into the shop, again passing the surreal pile of inflatable dolls, one still sporting a santa s cap.She sure took her time getting dressed; I imagined she d figured she needed

He agrees to be her focus group for demoing toys in the adult toy store.By Norweger. Listen to the ►Podcast at Steamy Stories.Can I help you?I glanced aside from the colourful products on display right in front of me, blushing mildly. The shopkeeper had done the rounds, and I, being lost in thought in front of the Toys; male, solo shelf hadn t noticed her approaching. Well, I could hardly deny I was thinking of buying a Fleshlight, as I held one; well, a securely wrapped one, luckily; in my hands as I met her friendly gaze.I, ah Fuck. Going to an adult toy shop shouldn t be embarrassing, should it? My cheeks and earlobes grew pretty pink. Well, I m just browsing, to be honest, IShe nodded. ‘Those are real good, by the way. She giggled. Well, good quality. Easy to keep clean. Rugged. For obvious reasons, I haven t taken one for a test drive myself.I chuckled, feeling my awkwardness recede a bit. That s one way of putting it. For obvious reasons I thought before answering Well, I could hardly expect you to have, could I? That being said, shops like this are quite particular, no? Normally, asking the shopkeeper for recommendations and whether she d used the product herself would be reasonable, but here, I guess it would get me me-too d right away? How do you actually reply if someone holds up something and asks, well, is this one any good?I smiled weakly while feeling my cheeks getting rosier again, hoping I hadn t overstepped any bounds. I got a chuckle for my trouble. Well, please try to keep the exciting images out of your mind, but to tell you the truth, we do test quite a lot of the stuff we sell.She blushed a little, herself. Well, we must buy them, of course, though at a steep discount. She turned her gaze down as the sentence trailed off, giving me a chance to look her over without being too obvious about it as the images she d been warning me about started to manifest themselves to my inner eye. I guessed she could be in her early thirties, a few years younger than me. Quite cute, slender, narrow hips, a loose-fitting, turquoise sweater doing its best to hide her ample bosom I d already undressed her in my mind, trying to imagine her testing the huge dildos in the glass display cabinet right behind her.Oh no, I hadn t been blushing earlier. Now; NOW I was blushing.She lifted her gaze again and giggled. Let me guess. Exciting images?I could hardly deny it, and she could hardly take affront, either. I turned my own gaze down, intensely studying my rather rumpled leather boots. There was no way in hell I d be able to meet her stare while saying it. Oh, guilty as charged. I made a helpless gesture with my arm towards the toys on display I imagined both this and that, I ll admit.Well, there s a reason we don t have fitting rooms, you know! Her giggle turned to a quick laugh which she stifled as quickly. I felt my mood rise just by hearing it; it had a chirping quality, sounded almost like a bird s cry. In improving spirits; and, frankly, quite turned on; this young, cute woman had more or less told me that she test ran a lot of the toys in the store. Now my eyes wandered around the room, desperate not to meet her stare, while every time I saw something titillating I imagined her using it on herself. Not that there was anything extraordinary about a woman in her thirties enjoying herself, but the mere thought, as she was standing two feet away from me Fuck. I was rock hard. I hoped it wasn t too obvious.Here goes nothing. Had I first said A, I might as well say B, too. I felt a bit braver, thinking we could spin a bit on this, while still keeping it innocent. She looked amused, too. That s kind of unfair, though, isn t it? Any woman walking into this store can get, ah, expert advice, whereas I, as a man, will have to take your word for it Oh, this one is good; I haven t tried it, but it is good, believe me!She laughed. Loud. I swear to all that s holy, had we ever had a male shop assistant here, he d be loaded down with all the male solo toys we could muster and be told to test the hell out of them; and take notes while he was at it! She turned serious. Wouldn t do you much good, though; I d be most surprised if there s even a single man in town who d casually ask another if that sex toy of his was any good or not.I d have to give her that. Chitchatting about sex did come a lot easier when I did it with a woman.Just that. There s a reason we re all women working here, she smiled. Women sell better to both men and women than, say, a fifty-something, balding, pudgy male in a soiled T-shirt and sweat pants. She chuckled. Beg your pardon for letting my prejudices shine through, by the way.I laughed out loud again, realizing I was getting close to asking her what she did once she d closed shop; she had, in a few minutes since I d become aware she even existed, shown herself to be one of those all too rare people who could get me in a good mood simply by being there; and that she could quip about sex and seemingly be at ease was an added bonus. Plus, of course, she was incredibly cute. I caught the warm, brown eyes peering out under her unruly mop of reddish hair, trying to come up with a suitable response before the silence became awkward or she trotted on through the shop, ending our moment.She glanced down at her watch, and my heart sank like a stone; opportunity wasted, I thought; until I heard what she had to say.Look Now I want you to be real careful; not getting the wrong idea as to what I am suggesting, okay? You are not going to have sex with me, capisce? Well, she had my full and undivided attention, even if I wouldn t get to sleep with her. I nodded, firmly. No fucking her. OK.I m about to close shop, now. If you, ahem, would like to test the fleshlight before you buy it, you can do so, okay? But, you re going to have to buy it afterwards, obviously. The lube is on the house.I gawked at her. Wow. I nodded, numbly. This couldn t be, could it? But I wouldn t want to miss this for the world. I nodded again, vigorously. She smiled a quick smile, then went to the entrance to lock the doors, glancing over her shoulder at me as she did so, throwing me another smile.Returning, she grabbed a bottle of lube from a shelf, and motioned for me to follow her as she walked past. As if I needed any prodding. It d probably be best to use our office, rather than have you go at it here under the bright lights, she suggested softly. I just shrugged. I d follow her anywhere. My cock was rather a simpleton.As we exited a door with a 'staff only sign at the back of the shop, we entered the kind of storeroom you ll find somewhere in any shop in the world; shelves stocked with all kinds of goods, except Well, these goods were very much adult toys. Darting past a crate packed to the gunwales with inflatable dolls; inflated!, she giggled Meet last year s Christmas decorations; we couldn t sell them, but neither could we bring ourselves to throw them away I shook my head, dumbfounded.She nodded towards a green door near the corner of the storeroom That s where you ll get to find out if the fleshlight is any goodShe opened the door, hinges groaning. I ve been meaning to grease those for ages, wonder if I can use this lube? she mused as we entered a small-ish, run-down office. Lots of papers were covering just about any horizontal surface; a desk with a computer and a phone on it and a small coffee table in front of a battered old sofa tucked into a corner; piles of merchandise along the far wall.Nodding towards the sofa, she suggested I take a seat before seating herself on the office chair by the desk. I hope you don t mind me watching. After all, I have a certain, um, professional interest in seeing how you get along with it, you know. , throwing me another smile; a warm, seemingly genuine one. She didn t appear to be wholly untouched, herself.I fumbled with the packaging. What sadist had invented welded plastic? Probably a good thing when it came to protecting sex toys on display, but when you were about to unwrap it to try it out? Not so much. My audience reached for a pair of scissors and motioned for me to lob her the fleshlight. You get out of your jeans, I ll get this out, OK? she suggested. I nodded, still not trusting my voice to bear.I hardly needed any more encouragement. I tugged at my belt, seconds later dropping my jeans to the floor, stepping out of them. My briefs were unceremoniously shoved down my thighs, and as I rose again, my almost painfully erect cock pointed arrogantly at the ceiling, the shopkeeper raising her eyebrows a little and giggling softly as she took the sight in while cutting open the packaging separating me from instant bliss.With a satisfied Hah! Finally! she pulled the fleshlight from its by now shredded plastic cover and reached over to hand it to me. I shamelessly ogled her cleavage before reverting to holding her gaze. As I said, this is good shit. You won t be able to destroy this one during normal use She proceeded to explain how important it was to clean it after use, stressing that they had both suitable toy cleaner and disinfectant in the store. Most gentle for the silicone, that stuff; unlike the dish soap most people tend to useHer sentence trailed off, apparently she got struck by the same thing I had; that this was an absurd time to discuss maintenance. My apologies, I got a bit carried away. Here.Accepting the toy, I glanced over at the bottle of lube perched on the edge of her desk. Turning around, she reached the bottle and spun back to present it to me. There you go, put lots in the fleshlight, some around the entrance and a little on your johnson, and you re good to go.Nodding, I did as she had suggested; an ample spurt of lube into the pale, pink thingy, then a little around the sculpted pussy lips. Bah, in a way it would have been better if they hadn t tried so hard to make it look like the real thing. Seeing as you wanted my observations, I think it would have been better if it was just an opening, not modeled to look like a real pussy; you know, no matter how good this may turn out to be, it can t possibly compare to the real thingDoh, she exclaimed as she rolled her eyes. I should have mentioned that, there s a neutral version, too; and, believe it or not, a few which are supposedly modeled after famous porn stars pussies, whether you believe it or not. Anyway, they probably all feel the same; just look at something, anything else while you re using it.I d be lying if I claimed I thought it would matter much what it looked like once it was wrapped around me. Squirting a wee bit of lube in the palm of my hand, I stroked myself a couple of times, ensuring I got some on the purplish, swollen head, too; unless I slipped in unhindered, I d be sore afterwards, of that I was certain.Positioning the fleshlight against the glans, I looked over at the shopkeeper. She stared back, eagerly anticipating my next move; not that she d have to be a rocket scientist to figure out what that would be. Gently pressing the fleshlight towards me, I slid into my first silicone pussy. It was just tight enough to feel natural-ish, I d hand the designers that; but it felt rather cold and, well, dead.What s it like? she asked, voice quivering slightly. Oh, not too bad, I replied Though it does feel a bit cold and. ah, dead, if I may say so at the moment, but that should improve shortly Giving it a couple of strokes, I could already feel it begin to warm up.She raised her stare from my fleshlight-wrapped member to meet mine. Fuck me, I really am not doing my job properly, now; I just remembered that the manufacturer recommend that you put it in warm water for a few minutes before use, precisely to avoid that corpse bride-feeling. My apologies.I nodded. That d probably do the trick, I m sure. However ; I let it slide back and forth a few times, feeling the soft silicone caress my oh-so-erect cock; it does feel really good, don t get me wrong; and it keeps getting warmer by the second!Having said that, I stroked myself in silence for a few moments, slowly, deliberately; pulling it off me until my cock emerged from it, exposing the swollen, lube-glistening head for my very attentive audience, then shoving myself into it again. Oh yes, it felt better and better. While no one would ever mistake it for the real thing; well, no one who had ever had the good fortune to have the real thing wrapped around oneself, anyway; it definitely felt good, much better than a simple handjob.It keeps getting better, I grunted. Would work better still if one could take it out of the casing, though; you know, to adjust the pressure, using it as a sleeve over my cock; would feel more alive, then.She nodded. I ll keep that in mind, in case someone asks. I believe you can take it out for cleaning, by the way; so you could probably, um, go au-naturel on it, if that s your preference. ; before again staring at my cock sliding in and out of the toy, mesmerised.I felt like I was being on display; quite naturally, seeing as that was just what I was; but caught myself enjoying it. My audience was really cute and sexy as hell; well, truth be told, I d probably find even Margaret Thatcher hot as fuck if she had stared at my masturbating with that sultry look my watcher now sent me; but I digress. I was turned on, way beyond what I would have been had I been doing the deed at home, alone.I coughed softly, then slowing the pace a bit as I caught her stare again. Uh, I know there won t be any actual sex, that s not what I m fishing for now, but Would you mind, ah, could I Well, have a little glimpse of your charms? Some bare skin? Just to help me over the edge? I must have looked like a pleading puppy, as she burst into laughter, luckily a good-natured one.After first shaking her head, she apparently had second thoughts and nodded. I swallowed. This intensely erotic moment was about to become even hotter. Grabbing the hem of her sweater, she pulled it over her head and revealed a black, low-cut bra and ample cleavage. Lovely, pillowy, full breasts. My pace picked up.Don t you think about touching me, don t even reach for me, OK? she said, sternly. I nodded, hoping I looked like I d be true to my word. God knows how reliable one looks when masturbating to the sight of the girl asking you to keep your hands off her.She apparently found my promise good enough, and, after reaching behind her back for a second, the bra fell into her lap and her breasts swung free. I swallowed again, almost in disbelief. They were really beautiful; round, full and pillowy, large, but not so large as to be saggy; they proudly stood form her chest, slightly pear-shaped, milky white and crowned by the largest, weakly drawn areolas I d ever seen, pale pink, crested with nipples looking as if you d be able to cut glass with them, so hard were they.She was amazing, and I wasted no time telling her so as my cock hardened further still inside the silicone wrapper I was now doing my best to fuck the daylights out of while keeping my eyes locked on the shopkeeper, occasionally falling to her wonderful breasts, but mostly maintaining eye contact.She leant back in her chair, her breasts gently parting. My turn to be mesmerised. I could already feel the familiar tingling telling me my strokes were numbered and my orgasm forthcoming; I d be done for shortly.The fleshlight was now at body temperature, and felt much, much more lifelike, albeit still no match for a woman, I grunted through clenched teeth no muscles milking me, no body thrust against mine, no hands feverishly stroking over my back, hugging me close as orgasm approaches; but it does feel pretty pretty damned good!Nodding absentmindedly, she stroked a hand over her right breast, cupping it, then pinching her nipple between her thumb and index finger, moaning softly.I m about to cum, I grunted, snapping her back to reality. Oh, please do it in that one, huh? , she nodded to an empty mug on the table between us. I want to see you cum. I nodded, feverishly working my cock with the latest addition to my meagre sex toy collection. Lean forward, please , I snapped I want to see those lovely tits swaying under youLaughingly, she obliged, leaning forward, then rocking side to side. Like this, huh? she teased, smiling warmly at me as the heavy globes swayed back and forth under her.Yes. Just like that. There was no use trying to hold back. Two more strokes, and I could feel my orgasm erupting, a tad before I d expected it to. And here I was, figuring I had it under controlI jerked the fleshlight off my cock, throwing it on the floor, sending spurt after spurt of cum over the table, grasping for the mug, missing, shooting another spurt halfway across the room towards her; at least it felt like it; before finally grabbing the mug and shooting the last, feeble spurt into it. I felt my earlobes glow with embarrassment as I came in for landing after the massive orgasm, only to see the mess I d made; cum streaks over invoices, a pack of cigarettes, the table itself, a lighterMy companion laughed, totally losing it in a fit of laughter, her breasts jiggling as she shook You should ve seen yourself!!! , she eventually gasped, regaining some control over herself. It was the most absurd sight I ve ever seen, so incredibly hot, you in the midst of such an orgasm, frantically trying to grab my old mugI joined her, a bit hesitantly at first. It had indeed been comedy hour. I hoped there wasn t a surveillance camera here, for if it did, I d be bound to find myself on some amateur blooper reel shortly.Never mind, though, she giggled. I ll get that cleaned up in no time. Without getting her sweater back on, she left the room. Seconds later I heard the tell-tale sound of water pouring from a faucet and paper being torn from a roll. She returned, hand full of tissue paper, and handed me some. Here, clean yourself up; then I ll show you how to clean your latest conquest afterwards.She leaned in over the table and cleaned up any trace of my little indiscretion. I really had to fight the urge to reach out and touch the lovely form right in front of my eyes; but managed. I d promised, after all; and I d had a wonderful experience, I wouldn t want to ruin it by doing anything which might scare or offend her in any way. I leaned back in the sofa while cleaning most of the lube off my semi-erect cock, softly caressing it as I stared hungrily at her, finishing up the table.I followed her to the cupboard next to the office; standing close to her; still dressed like Venus of Milo, only with arms; in the tiny room, I could feel the warmth of her body against mine as she fumbled the fleshlight open, taking out the silicone innards. Just hold it under lukewarm water, first, to get rid of your cum and the lube, then wipe it clean with a little bit of the toy cleaner I ll give you when we re back in the shop and it ll be ready for its next outing.She glanced up at me, noting my attention was on her, rather than on the most useful instructions she were supplying. Better leave it outside its sheath overnight to allow it to dry properly, she said. Well, unless you find you prefer to use just the inner sleeve, of course. Quick smile.With that, she handed the toy back to me. Just head back out in the shop, you. I ll be with you in a minute, just need to get dressed. I was treated to a smile too cute to be believed, and I was bright enough not to overstay my welcome by asking for just a few more glimpses of her.I threw a last, longing glance at her beautiful, curvy shape, met her gaze; a rather lustful one at that!; and smiled at her. I ll do some window shopping, then, see if I find more playthings catching my fancy. I then turned and briskly headed back into the shop, again passing the surreal pile of inflatable dolls, one still sporting a santa s cap.She sure took her time getting dressed; I imagined she d figured she needed

Welcome to another episode of Build a Better Agency! This week, host Drew McLellan dives into the rapidly evolving landscape of AI and its game-changing implications for agency owners. Joining him is Julian Goldie, an innovative SEO agency owner and AI authority who has reimagined his business by harnessing the power of automation. Together, they demystify AI's practical applications, offering grounded advice for agencies eager not to fall behind in the age of automation.  In this insightful conversation, Julian Goldie recounts how the emergence of tools like ChatGPT prompted him to reinvent his agency from the inside out. He shares real-world examples of leveraging AI for operational efficiency—including automating repetitive outreach tasks, cutting costs, and scaling revenue without increasing headcount. You'll hear how identifying high-impact areas for automation can transform daily workflows and free up your team to focus on the strategies that matter most.  Drew McLellan and Julian Goldie discuss the overwhelming variety of AI tools on the market and outline how to strategically narrow down your agency's tech stack. You'll get tangible tips for evaluating and adopting automations, maintaining quality control, and sidestepping common pitfalls many organizations face when deploying AI. Plus, Julian reveals his "three-tool AI stack" essential for any modern agency, and shares strategies for using AI not just to save time, but to generate new revenue streams and position yourself as an industry thought leader.  Whether you're just beginning to experiment with AI or are looking to deepen your automation game, this episode is packed with actionable insights. By the end, you'll have concrete steps for auditing your workflow, selecting the right tools, and leading your clients confidently into the future of AI-powered marketing. Don't miss this practical roadmap to building a smarter, more scalable, and future-ready agency.  A big thank you to our podcast's presenting sponsor, White Label IQ. They're an amazing resource for agencies who want to outsource their design, dev, or PPC work at wholesale prices. Check out their special offer (10 free hours!) for podcast listeners here.  What You Will Learn in This Episode: Leveraging AI to automate high-impact agency tasks   Building value through workflow automation, not just content creation Simplifying your AI tech stack for profit and efficiency The critical role of quality control with AI-powered outputs Using AI-driven communities and content for client acquisition Mindful adoption: focusing on one key automation at a time Positioning your agency as a thought leader by documenting and sharing your AI journey  

It Is for Positioning Not for Destruction by Victory Inheritance Ministries

In today's episode, I explore why differentiated value is the most important—and most misunderstood—part of positioning. I explain why customers don't really care that much about features, how to use the “so what?” question to uncover what truly matters, and why this step takes more time than any other in a positioning exercise. I also share how my thinking on value has evolved since the first edition of my book, Obviously Awesome, and why I expanded this section so much in the second edition.You will learn: (03:14) How skipping competitive alternatives and capabilities leads to opinion-based positioning.(04:38) Why differentiated value is about outcomes, not feature checklists.(06:15) How to use repeated “so what?” questions to move from features to real value.(08:27) Why “make money” and “save money” alone are not enough to differentiate.(10:02) How to focus value messaging on the champion rather than every stakeholder.(13:31) Why teams should align on value concepts before worrying about copywriting.(17:23) How to separate true value from objection handling in your positioning.—Connect with April Dunford and learn about practical positioning that accelerates marketing and sales: Work with April: https://www.aprildunford.com/contact April's newsletter: https://aprildunford.substack.com/ April's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aprildunford/ April's Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/aprildunford/ April's Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/aprildunford April's TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@positioningshow—Mentioned in this episode: * Obviously Awesome, Second Edition (forthcoming), by April Dunford. —Get April Dunford's books and audiobooks: “Obviously Awesome: How to Nail Product Positioning so Customers Get It, Buy It, Love It.”“Sales Pitch: How to Craft a Story to Stand Out and Win.”Amazon US: https://amzn.to/49l0ZRY Amazon Canada: https://amzn.to/4ac9hgt Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3vosDzQApple Books: https://apple.co/3xihSzCGoogle Play: https://play.google.com/store/search?q=%22April%20Dunford%22&c=books Barnes & Noble: https://www.bn.com/s/%22April%20Dunford%22 Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/contributors/april-dunford —The Positioning with April Dunford podcast: Want to make your product stand out in a crowded market? It all starts with great positioning. Using April's battle-tested methodology, she'll teach you the nitty-gritty of positioning so that you can unlock better marketing and sales performance.Podcast website: https://www.positioning.show/ Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3PFHcWx Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/02XBrnPJ7NVGPUgHC7xstU Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@positioningshow —This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co/

MY NEWSLETTER - https://nikolas-newsletter-241a64.beehiiv.com/subscribeJoin me, Nik (https://x.com/CoFoundersNik), as I interview Brian O'Connor (https://x.com/BrianFOConnor).In this episode, I sit down with prolific entrepreneur Brian O'Connor to uncover how he walked away from a high-stakes corporate strategy job at Deloitte to build his own business empire. Brian reveals the exact breaking point that pushed him to leave the corporate world, it involves single-handedly saving his consulting firm $100 million and receiving a coffee gift card in return!We dive deep into the brutal reality of finding product-market fit, why traditional SWOT analysis is completely useless, and the secret corporate frameworks like the Choice Cascade that can help you create an unbeatable competitive advantage. Brian also shares the crazy story of managing 250 people while distributing billions in PPP loans during the pandemic, and how his journey ultimately led him to start a highly successful fractional CMO company and a unique staffing agency. If you want to know how to transition from a W2 employee to a thriving business owner, or how to navigate a highly competitive Red Ocean, you won't want to miss these insights.Questions This Episode Answers:Why is traditional SWOT analysis considered a waste of time for most businesses?What is the Choice Cascade, and how can it give you a massive competitive advantage?How do you know when you've truly found product-market fit?Should you prioritize deep strategy or raw execution speed when your business is making less than $1 million a year?How can rethinking your business model and adding an advisory component completely transform your customer retention?Enjoy the conversation!__________________________Love it or hate it, I'd love your feedback.Please fill out this brief survey with your opinion or email me at nik@cofounders.com with your thoughts.__________________________MY NEWSLETTER: https://nikolas-newsletter-241a64.beehiiv.com/subscribeSpotify: https://tinyurl.com/5avyu98yApple: https://tinyurl.com/bdxbr284YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/nikonomicsYT__________________________This week we covered:00:00 Introduction to Brian's Entrepreneurial Journey01:23 Leaving the Corporate World02:10 Managing a Massive COVID-19 Project03:40 The Decision to Become a Fractional CMO05:48 Understanding Growth Strategy and Competitive Advantage07:42 The Choice Cascade Framework10:42 Strategic Choices for Business Success16:41 Balancing Strategy and Execution in Early-Stage Businesses20:47 The Evolution of Business Questions21:46 Balancing Confidence and Speed in Business Decisions22:07 Launching Business Units in Mexico: A Case Study24:51 The Role of Strategy and Execution in Small Businesses27:26 The Journey to Product-Market Fit30:44 The Importance of Positioning and Iteration34:56 Innovative Pricing Models in Talent Agencies38:58 Advisory Consulting as a Competitive Advantage

In this episode of SaaS Fuel, host Jeff Mains sits down with Mike "Damp" Damphousse, co-founder of Category Design Advisors and co-author of "The Category Creation Formula." With three decades of experience as a founder, CEO, CMO, investor, and advisor, Mike reveals why most companies lose before they even start—not because their product is weak, but because they're competing in categories defined by someone else.Key Takeaways[4:05] - The product-market fit trap: Mike's 1990s startup had amazing product configuration technology, but failed because they didn't condition the market to understand the new category emerging[9:18] - Category winners take 75% of economics: Research from "Play Bigger" shows category designers capture 75% of the economic value in their category over time—Apple takes 75% of smartphone profits despite not having the most revenue[12:02] - Why positioning is dangerous: The word "positioning" implies you're positioning against somebody—if you're comparing yourself to others, you've already lost the battle because someone else set the rules[14:11] - The anchoring effect: The first company that introduces you to the solution to your problem becomes the company you remember over time—this cognitive bias is the underlying strength of categories[22:23] - Category POV as constitution: When you write your category point of view, have people sign it like the constitution—one CEO painted it on the cafeteria wall. It becomes the DNA of everything from product development to hiring[23:15] - The 800-word story structure: A category point of view is an 800-1000-word narrative that starts with the problem (50% of the story), paints ramifications so clearly the audience sees the solution, then introduces the category—not the brand—as the answer[39:36] - The category formula: Context + Missing + Innovation = New Category. Every successful category has these three attributes: a context shift (like COVID for Zoom), something missing in the market, and your innovation that fills the gap[44:00] - Apple's "There's an app for that": Apple didn't just create a better phone—they introduced a point of view that every problem you have, there's an app that'll solve it. That's category-level thinkingTweetable Quotes

05 Mar 2026. Drone damage to AWS facilities triggered outages for some online platforms, including Sarwa. Group CEO Mark Chawan explains what happened and how they restored services. Plus, Maurice Gravier from Emirates NBD’s CIO office on what wealth advisers are telling private clients right now. Plus, UAE business owner on leading teams through uncertainty, and Sean Evers of Gulf Intelligence on volatile oil and energy markets.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you are a talented speaker but still struggle to get booked consistently, the problem is rarely your speaking ability. The real problem is visibility, positioning, and systems. Many speakers are excellent on stage but invisible to the people who actually hire speakers. In this episode, Sean explains why most speakers fall into what he calls the Invisible Speaker Trap and how to break out of it. You will learn why speakers must think like marketers, how positioning determines your speaking fee, and what event planners are actually looking for when they search for speakers. If you want to become a bookable and paid speaker, this episode shows you the strategic shifts required to move from occasional bookings to consistent speaking opportunities. Episode Chapters 00:00 Introduction 00:48 Why Most Speakers Are Not Getting Booked 02:05 The Invisible Speaker Trap 03:30 Why Consistency Creates Bookable Speakers 04:15 You Are Not Just a Speaker. You Are a Marketer 05:10 Define Your Speaking Category and Niche 06:25 The Importance of Solving a Specific Problem 08:05 Visibility Is Non Negotiable for Speakers 09:05 Who Are the Gatekeepers That Book Speakers 10:30 Why LinkedIn Matters for Speakers 11:05 What Positioning Really Means 12:30 Why the Market Determines Your Speaking Fee 13:50 Understanding Value in the Speaking Market 15:00 Event Planners Need Certainty 16:05 Why Your Social Profiles Must Say Speaker 17:10 Differentiating Yourself from Other Speakers 18:10 Building Systems for Visibility 19:20 Marketing and Visibility Work Together 20:00 Becoming the Only Option for Event Planners 21:00 How Sean Closed a Speaking Gig Through Email 21:30 What Is Coming in the Next Episodes Key Takeaways 1. Most speakers are invisible Many speakers are talented but unknown to event planners. Visibility is the difference between occasional gigs and consistent bookings. 2. You must define your niche before building your talk Event planners do not book generalists. They book specialists who solve a clear problem. 3. You are a marketer first Unless you are speaking daily, you are primarily marketing your speaking business. 4. Positioning determines your fee The market decides what you are worth based on your credibility, expertise, and perceived value. 5. Visibility must be intentional Podcast appearances, media features, LinkedIn content, and speaking systems create consistent exposure. 6. Event planners want certainty Their reputation is on the line when they hire a speaker. Your positioning must communicate credibility and clarity. Resources Mentioned The No BS Guide to Getting Booked to Speak - bit.ly/getbookedtospeakguide Booked and Paid Speaker Blueprint Program - bit.ly/BookedPaidSpeakerBlueprint LinkedIn HARO (Help a Reporter Out) About the Booked and Paid Speaker Blueprint The Booked and Paid Speaker Blueprint is a step-by-step system designed to help speakers become consistently visible, booked, and paid. Inside the program you will learn how to: Build speaking lead systems Get booked on podcasts and in the media Position yourself as the expert in your niche Increase your speaking fees through better positioning Create a consistent pipeline of speaking opportunities Connect with Sean Website - The Success Corps - www.TheSuccessCorps.com LinkedIn www.LinkedIn.com/SeanDouglasTEDxSpeaker Subscribe and Review If you found value in this episode: Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite platform Leave a rating and review Share this episode with a speaker who wants to get booked and paid Your support helps more speakers escape the Invisible Speaker Trap.

Catch “The Drive with Spence Checketts” from 2 pm to 6 pm weekdays on ESPN 700 & 92.1 FM. Produced by Porter Larsen. The latest on the Utah Jazz, Real Salt Lake, Utes, BYU + more sports storylines.

For over 30 years, Robin has helped Investment Consultants, Retirement Plan Advisors, and recordkeepers better understand their competition, improve efficiency, elevate client service, and win new business. She began her career as a retirement plan sponsor in healthcare and manufacturing before moving into consulting roles with Deloitte and North Highland, and later serving as Head of Research at Ann Schleck & Co. Following its sale to fi360, she became a Senior Vice President overseeing the Fiduciary Score.In 2018, Robin founded WinMore Plans and relaunched the Practice Management Benchmarking Study for retirement plan advisors. Today, she partners with hundreds of advisory firms nationwide, providing benchmarking, coaching, win/loss analysis, and valuation services to help advisors implement practical growth strategies.In this episode, Eric and Robin Green discuss:Positioning the advisor as a true business partnerCapturing a history of plan accomplishmentsDelivering meaningful financial wellness supportClarifying contracts, data use, and rising expectationsKey Takeaways:Advisors should be treated as strategic partners, not just investment technicians. Committees can formalize this by adding a recurring Strategic Business Discussion as the first agenda item each year. This ensures the retirement plan aligns with the company's broader goals and workforce strategy.An important and very useful deliverable to consider; a concise document that tracks major milestones like fee reductions, vendor changes, and plan design improvements. This goes beyond an annual report by highlighting long-term strategic progress. It strengthens continuity during leadership turnover and supports the advisor's value in RFP situations.In many cases, employers now expect help for participants beyond the retirement plan itself. Advisors should support broader financial wellness, including debt, budgeting, and outside assets. For many participants, this may be their only access to professional financial guidance.Sponsors should review recordkeeper contracts to understand participant outreach and data usage. Decisions about who can contact participants must be intentional and documented. Advisors who provide strategic insight and participant-level impact will stand out in today's higher-expectation environment.“The plan sponsor, I want you to focus on your advisor as your business partner. Ask them, What am I missing? What else should we be doing here? And will you be my strategic business partner, not just tactical investment information?” - Robin GreenConnect with Robin Green:Website: https://winmoreplans.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robingreen/ Connect with Eric Dyson: Website: https://90northllc.com/Phone: 940-248-4800Email: contact@90northllc.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/401kguy/ The information and content of this podcast are general in nature and are provided solely for educational and informational purposes. It is believed to be accurate and reliable as of the posting date, but may be subject to change.It is not intended to provide a specific recommendation for any type of product or service discussed in this presentation or to provide any warranties, investment advice, financial advice, tax, plan design, or legal advice (unless otherwise specifically indicated). Please consult your own independent advisor as to any investment, tax, or legal statements made.The specific facts and circumstances of all qualified plans can vary, and the information contained in this podcast may or may not apply to your individual circumstances or to your plan or client plan-specific circumstances.The opinions expressed by guests are not necessarily agreed by, or the same opinions of 90 North Consulting or of Eric Dyson.

Interview with Robin Dunbar, CEO, Grid MetalsOur previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/grid-metals-tsxvgrdm-fast-tracking-potential-on-lithium-nickel-copper-projects-5444Recording date: 2nd of March 2026Grid Metals Corp is advancing one of the world's rarest mineral opportunities—a cesium deposit in Manitoba, Canada, targeting production by 2027 in a market dominated by Chinese suppliers and constrained by extreme geological scarcity.The company has identified what CEO Robin Dunbar describes as one of only six cesium deposits ever discovered globally. With just three historically reaching production and only three new discoveries emerging despite intensive lithium exploration over the past five years, cesium's rarity drives premium pricing in a concentrated $400 million annual market where Chinese entities control 85% of supply.Grid Metals' development strategy diverges sharply from conventional mining economics. The shallow deposit, located 20-40 meters below surface, enables low-cost open-pit extraction of 50,000-100,000 tons of material. Processing relies on simple crush-and-sort technology using XRT optical sorting—eliminating the need for complex milling, tailings facilities, and environmental infrastructure that typically delay projects for years and require hundreds of millions in capital.The company has drilled approximately 100 holes with grades reaching 20-30% cesium oxide content. Based on prior discussions with nearby processor Tanco, concentrate could fetch $6,000-$9,000 per ton, potentially generating $30-100 million from an initial pit—representing 3-4 times Grid Metals' current $30 million market capitalization.Cesium applications span high-value sectors including drilling fluids for oil and gas wells, atomic clocks for military guidance systems, medical imaging, and emerging perovskite solar technology that increases photovoltaic efficiency by 25%. Supply constraints have historically limited adoption, creating latent demand that new supply could unlock.Grid Metals benefits from a critical timing advantage. Major competitor Power Metals' billion-dollar lithium-cesium project won't reach final investment decision until 2027, providing a 5-7 year market window. The company also maintains portfolio optionality through a 7-million-ton lithium deposit and a base metals joint venture with Teck Resources containing over $2 billion in ground metal value, providing diversified pathways to value realization.Learn more: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/grid-metals-corpSign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com

Most salon owners think they have a marketing problem. In reality, what they usually have is a clarity problem, a positioning problem, and a consistency problem. And until those things are fixed, no amount of posting, boosting, or discounting is going to change the outcome.In this episode, I break down what marketing actually is, not the social media version, not the trend-driven version, but the strategic version that builds predictable growth. I talk about the difference between image building and business building, the four layers of effective marketing, and why so many salons are stuck in a cycle of reactive tactics.If you're tired of unpredictable bookings, blaming the algorithm, or hoping things will “pick up soon,” then this episode will give you a framework to think differently and more strategically about marketing your salon.IN THIS EPISODE:[00:00] Introduction and why most salon owners misunderstand marketing[00:00:49] The real problem: clarity, strategy and consistency[00:03:10] Activity vs strategy: why busy doesn't mean effective[00:03:10] Image building vs business building marketing[00:04:44] What marketing actually is[00:05:00] The four layers of marketing explained[00:05:25] Layer 1: Clarity - knowing your ideal client[00:05:50] Layer 2: Positioning - why clients should choose you[00:06:41] Layer 3: Visibility - and why most skip the foundations[00:07:30] Layer 4: Client conversion - where money is often lost[00:07:55] The real cost of weak marketing[00:08:39] Why unstable revenue damages culture and productivity[00:09:00] What good marketing actually feels like[00:10:14] The industry-wide marketing framework problem[00:10:37] Invitation to the free marketing training[00:11:19] Why predictable growth requires predictable marketingWant MORE to help you GROW?

If your LinkedIn profile is quietly aging you, it's time for a strategic update. Let's not pretend age bias doesn't exist. It does. But we are NOT going to let it dictate how we position ourselves. In this episode, I'm walking you through exactly how to position your LinkedIn profile to beat age bias and brand your next chapter — without hiding your experience, apologizing for your success, or shrinking your authority. Because your LinkedIn profile is not your career archive. It's a marketing document for where you're going next. We're talking about: Whether you should remove graduation dates How to handle career breaks (without overexplaining) What your profile photo is really signaling How to show relevance and adaptability (yes, even with AI) Why branding forward changes everything Midlife isn't the issue. Positioning is. You don't need to look younger to compete. You need to look intentional. And if your profile is still branding the woman you used to be instead of the one you're becoming — this episode is your next step. Age bias may exist. Invisibility is optional.   Resources Mentioned In The Episode: If you're ready to refine your positioning in a room full of women who are done playing small, come join us in the Visibility Salon. You get a free week to check it out: www.karenyankovich.com/free-trial    Magical Quotes From The Episode: "Your LinkedIn profile is not your career archive. It's a marketing document for your next chapter." "You don't need to look younger to compete. You need to look intentional." "Age bias may exist. But invisibility is optional."   Help Us Spread The Word! It would be awesome if you shared the Good Girls Get Rich Podcast with your fellow entrepreneurs on Twitter. Click here to tweet some love! If this episode has taught you just one thing, I would love if you could head on over to Apple Podcasts and SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW! And if you're moved to, kindly leave us a rating and review. Maybe you'll get a shout out on the show!   Ways to Subscribe to Good Girls Get Rich: Click here to subscribe via Apple Podcasts Click here to subscribe via PlayerFM Good Girls Get Rich is also on Spotify Take a listen on Podcast Addict

With GPS supporting so much of the U.S's critical infrastructure, it is a known single point of risk. NextNav's Mariam Sorond joins Light Reading to discuss how operators whose own networks are vulnerable to GPS attacks, can help solve the national security challenge with GPS, secure their networks with a resilient terrestrial timing back-up and open up opportunities by offering 3D PNT capabilities. Sponsored by NextNav. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

MY NEWSLETTER - https://nikolas-newsletter-241a64.beehiiv.com/subscribeJoin me, Nik (https://x.com/CoFoundersNik), as I interview Casey McDaniel (https://x.com/pestctrlguy). In this episode, we explore the incredibly lucrative and surprising world of the pest control business. Casey reveals how he and his cousin each put up a mere $5,000 initial investment to build a company that reached over $1 million in revenue by its third year.We uncover the intense realities of door-to-door sales, an industry where the absolute top sales reps can pull in seven figures over a single summer. You'll also hear how Casey bypassed a major industry roadblock by legally renting a master license, the insanely high gross margins behind this recurring revenue model, and the strict remote management tactics, including photo SOPs and GPS tracking, he uses to run his Colorado operation all the way from Salt Lake City.Questions This Episode Answers:How are top door-to-door sales reps able to earn over a million dollars in personal commissions in just a few short months?What is the clever loophole you can use to rent a master license and start a pest control company without waiting years for certification?How does the recurring revenue model of spraying for bugs generate such unbelievable gross margins?What SOPs and tracking technology are necessary to successfully oversee a remote workforce of technicians from hundreds of miles away?When looking to scale a service business, is it smarter to build from scratch with a sales team or acquire an existing company?Enjoy the conversation!__________________________Love it or hate it, I'd love your feedback.Please fill out this brief survey with your opinion or email me at nik@cofounders.com with your thoughts.__________________________MY NEWSLETTER: https://nikolas-newsletter-241a64.beehiiv.com/subscribeSpotify: https://tinyurl.com/5avyu98yApple: https://tinyurl.com/bdxbr284YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/nikonomicsYT__________________________This week we covered:00:00 Introduction to Brian's Entrepreneurial Journey01:23 Leaving the Corporate World02:10 Managing a Massive COVID-19 Project03:40 The Decision to Become a Fractional CMO05:48 Understanding Growth Strategy and Competitive Advantage07:42 The Choice Cascade Framework10:42 Strategic Choices for Business Success16:41 Balancing Strategy and Execution in Early-Stage Businesses20:47 The Evolution of Business Questions21:46 Balancing Confidence and Speed in Business Decisions22:07 Launching Business Units in Mexico: A Case Study24:51 The Role of Strategy and Execution in Small Businesses27:26 The Journey to Product-Market Fit30:44 The Importance of Positioning and Iteration34:56 Innovative Pricing Models in Talent Agencies38:58 Advisory Consulting as a Competitive Advantage

The Wedding Industry Lie: THAT'S KEEPING YOU BROKE“If "just be yourself" was enough to grow a wedding business… half of you wouldn't still be struggling.”The wedding industry loves this advice.“Just be yourself.”“You're so talented.”“Your work will speak for itself.”And yes — authenticity matters.But here's the uncomfortable truth:Authenticity does NOT equal bookings.Being yourself does not position you.It does not elevate your perceived value.It does not create demand.And it does not build predictable revenue.In this episode, we break down one of the most repeated — and most incomplete — pieces of advice in the wedding industry.Because too many wedding professionals are hiding behind “just be yourself” while wondering why growth feels random, inconsistent, or stuck.---# Inside This Episode:• Why “just be yourself” is incomplete advice• The difference between authenticity and positioning• Why talent alone does not create demand• The real reason “saturated market” isn't the actual problem• The 3 secrets that actually drive bookings• Why clarity converts and confusion kills momentum• How to shift immediately---#

The rules of getting attention online have changed. Consumers are filtering thousands of messages a day, which means generic niches and demographic-based messaging simply don't cut through anymore. In this episode, Kendra explains why the online space has reached a saturation tipping point and why your marketing must evolve if you want to stay visible and relevant. You'll learn why niching based on demographics like age or gender is no longer enough, and what actually works now: identity-driven marketing rooted in real lived experience. Kendra breaks down how to define a profitable problem, how to identify the shared daily reality that connects your audience, and why speaking to specific “micro moments” is what builds trust and drives sales. When people feel deeply seen, they buy. This episode walks you through the practical shift from broad positioning to hyper-specific messaging so you can create content that resonates, builds connection, and converts in today's crowded market. If your niche feels blurry or your messaging feels flat, this conversation will help you refine who you serve and how you speak to them so your marketing actually works again.Covered in this episode: Why More Choices Mean Your Marketing Must Be Hyper-Specific (02:33) The Shift From Demographics to Identity-Based Niching That Actually Converts (08:30) How “Micro Moments” Reveal What Your Audience Really Needs (11:30) How to Evolve Your Niche Without Burning Down Your Business (15:36) Clarifying Identity So Your Messaging Drives Real Sales (16:52) Mentioned in this episode:Grab the Micro-Moment Method Guide:https://go.kendraperry.net/micro-moment-methodWATCH ON YOUTUBE Leave the podcast a 5-star review: https://ratethispodcast.com/wealthy

Text the Wedding Planning HotlineYour wedding brand is communicating right now — the question is whether it's saying what you actually mean. In this episode, Desirée Adams breaks down the three core layers of high-end branding: the language you use, the imagery you put forward, and how you position yourself in the market. This isn't a beginner's guide to branding. It's a strategic conversation for pros who are ready to make sure everything they're putting out into the world reflects the level of work they're already doing, and the clients they're ready to attract.Links Mentioned in the EpisodeFind the Full Shownotes HereWork with Desiree for business coaching and mentorship

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Jacqueline Cordova and Ben Visser recap Iowa State's final dual of the season, which featured an unconventional start at 197 pounds and carried plenty of storylines from start to finish. They break down the highlights from the night, the emotion surrounding Yonger Bastida's final home dual, and what his impact has meant to this program. Plus, a deep dive into Big 12 allocations, coaches' rankings, and RPI. Presented by Fareway Meat & Grocery. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jeff Bliss covers California's upcoming gubernatorial jungle primary with Democrat Eric Swalwell and Republican Steve Hilton as early frontrunners, Spencer Pratt challenging Mayor Karen Bass in Los Angeles, and Governor Gavin Newsom positioning himself for a 2028 presidential run on an anti-Trump platform. 21900 PASEDENA