ADVANCE: Take Your Next Step with Mike Acker

Check out Shawn's Keynotes at www.audacityspeakers.com
Or invite him to speak - [email protected]

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INTRODUCTION TO EPISODE 39

Life can be simple or complex — depending on how we choose to live our lives. We all lead different lives, and, as such, we use different tools and techniques to make sure we’re accomplishing the things we need to accomplish. That’s where prioritization and preparedness come into play.

Shawn Conrad is a man of many talents - he’s a renowned speaker, artist, and actor who used his past experiences in the entertainment industry to find his voice and develop his skills as a speaker.

In this episode, Shawn speaks with Mike about his exciting journey in life, playing multiple roles professionally while finding quality time to spend with his family. Shawn speaks of the importance of prioritization and preparedness in life and how they were instrumental in helping him grow as a successful and satisfied individual.

EPISODE 39 SUMMARY & HIGHLIGHTS

How can you be present with your family while also playing multiple roles professionally?

6:01

Since the beginning of my music career, it was essential for me to be a great father - it all circles back to your legacy. As young adults, your children should be able to recollect good, inspiring stories about you to carry with them. Also, you can always organize your work and responsibilities in a way that keeps quality time aside for your family - it’s all about setting priorities. 

How did you make a career switch from the entertainment industry to corporate life?

13:03

Preparation was crucial for helping me grab new roles and opportunities. I was constantly preparing myself for things that might be demanded of me in the future.

What is the most valuable takeaway from your speaking sessions with your audience?

27:28

Tell us a little bit about the Pirate Rap that you did when in the entertainment industry.

29:53

For comprehensive SHOW NOTES visit connect.stepstoadvance.com

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FIND SHAWN & OTHER AUDACITY SPEAKERS AT
www.audacityspeakers.com

▶️  WHY AUDACITY SPEAKERS? 

Because powerful speakers have one thing in common. It’s not a particular style, but firm confidence that they have a message to share and value to provide. We call that audacity.  

From a bestselling author to a TEDx speaker to the founder of a nonprofit that has matched over 22,000 volunteer hours with needs around the world, our speakers do have something to say—something that will impact your company or event for years to come—and the authority to say it.

Even with incredible speakers, we are not just in the business of booking events; we build valuable relationships. We have been organizing, consulting, and speaking for over twenty years. And we bring this experience to engage your audience and add value to your event.

Find Speakers with Something to Say - www.audacityspeakers.com

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To request Mike Acker or another speaker to address your group or facilitate a specific workshop, email: [email protected]

Check out Pamela's Keynotes at www.audacityspeakers.com
Or invite her to speak - [email protected]

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INTRODUCTION TO EPISODE 38

Is social good just the same as Corporate Social Responsibility?

Pamela Hawley, Founder and CEO at UniversalGiving, shares with us her incredible life founding and running a tech-for-good company, and all the while enjoying the responsibilities that come with her job. Universal Giving is an award-winning nonprofit that helps people give and volunteer with vetted, quality opportunities all over the world.

Mike and Pamela also talk about CSR, its importance in companies today, and her fantastic thoughts on leadership.

Visit Pamela's organization at https://www.universalgiving.org


EPISODE 38 SUMMARY & HIGHLIGHTS

Can your true calling be your job? If so, how?

2:57

When you like your job, you’ll feel called to it. You get up every day with a grand sense of purpose. Whether it's full time or part-time, there's something we should be doing. It's very magical if we're connecting to what we're supposed to be doing to help the world.

Can you tell us a little bit more about Universal Giving?

6:07

Through volunteering experiences, one gets to see how challenged the world is. I created Universal Giving by taking the ground experiences that are available to all of us and then marrying them with my love of technology. 

Now people can come in, they can choose an issue such as education, or human rights, find projects, or NGOs, and get volunteer opportunities.

My experience says that if people can't go and see it on the ground, you’ll have to bring back the trust. That was the genesis for the quality model and Universal Giving.

What is entrepreneurship, according to you?

8:27

Entrepreneurship is about taking an idea to fruition. Here are some lessons I learned about the same - 

1. Think about commitment and longevity to make sure that your idea stays for the benefit of the community.
2. With entrepreneurship, you’re constantly learning.
3. If you're an entrepreneur and are being insightful about it, you are also growing yourself.

What does it take to be in a tech-for-good company like Universal Giving?

12:57

What is CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility)? Why is it important for companies these days to focus on CSR?

23:30

What are your thoughts on leadership?

25:20

KEY QUOTES...

For comprehensive SHOW NOTES visit connect.stepstoadvance.com

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FIND PAMELA & OTHER AUDACITY SPEAKERS AT
www.audacityspeakers.com

▶️  WHY AUDACITY SPEAKERS? 

Because powerful speakers have one thing in common. It’s not a particular style, but firm confidence that they have a message to share and value to provide. We call that audacity.  

From a bestselling author to a TEDx speaker to the founder of a nonprofit that has matched over 22,000 volunteer hours with needs around the world, our speakers do have something to say—something that will impact your company or event for years to come—and the authority to say it.

Even with incredible speakers, we are not just in the business of booking events; we build valuable relationships. We have been organizing, consulting, and speaking for over twenty years. And we bring this experience to engage your audience and add value to your event.

Find Speakers with Something to Say - www.audacityspeakers.com

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To request Mike Acker or another speaker to address your group or facilitate a specific workshop, email: [email protected]

INTRODUCTION TO EPISODE 37

It is true that becoming a paid public speaker (or influencer) is one of the most attractive career choices today or simply a great side-hustle. But talking in front of a crowd requires you to master some skills that are absolutely necessary.

What are these skills? How can you master them? Let’s find out.

Learn how to build yourself as a speaker, the foundation sources you need to stay in the game, and much more from Mike Acker in this episode of the Advance podcast!

EPISODE 37 SUMMARY & HIGHLIGHTS

How do you build yourself a platform as a public speaker or influencer?

2:44

To build yourself a platform as a public speaker, you’ve to be one of these - there has to be a reason for people to listen to you, there has to be a reason for you to influence others, or there has to be a reason for you to be a thought leader or an influencer.

What are the five foundational sources for you to become a successful public speaker?

3:14 

1. Stories

Some public speakers become immensely successful because of their stories of overcoming a challenge. Some examples are speakers like Bethany Hamilton or Aron Ralston. Both of them have a fascinating and dramatic story that gets the audience hooked. The bigger your story, the better it sells.  Your success attracts people. If you are wildly successful, people will want to learn about your success story.

7:48

2. Success

Your speaking platform comes from noticed success. And noticed success comes from having a daily rhythm.

9:38

3. Product

Once you have a product that is wildly successful, you get noticed by publications and media. If you do not have a success story, the next best thing is to launch a product that you can talk about. This could be a clothing line, a new book or even an app.

11:15

4. Affiliation

Being affiliated to someone could open various doors of opportunity for you. 

13:43

5. Personality

Having an attractive personality often makes up for the other factors. An example could be comedians. What attracts the audience is their comedic persona.

15:45

6. Hard work

This is a standalone quality that is absolutely necessary for your success. You need to work hard to get where you want to be.

 
KEY QUOTES:

02:44-02:53

“There has to be a reason for people to listen to you. There has to be a reason for you to influence others. There has to be a reason for you to be a thought leader.”

07:16-07:21

“The more successful you are with something, the more you can speak from that platform.”

 07:54-08:02

“When it comes to speaking, your speaking platform comes from the noticed success, not just the daily success. But the noticeable success comes from your daily rhythms.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED ON THE PODCAST

●      Book-  Pirates, Scoundrels Saint

●      Person –  John Maxwell

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(Full show notes & more resources visit connect.stepstoadvance.com) 

Check out the YouTube at:
https://www.youtube.com/c/ADVANCEwithMikeAcker 

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To book Mike Acker to speak to your group or facilitate a specific workshop, email:
[email protected]
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INTRODUCTION TO EPISODE 36

One of the things that keep you from being a great public speaker is anxiety. We invest so much of our energy thinking over and over the worst-case scenarios and in the process, fall short of giving our best each time.

In this episode, Mike talks about easing our anxiety during public speaking. He shares four highly useful strategies to improve our speaking. And the best part? These apply to events of any scale, be it high-profile interviews, online meetings or large gatherings.

 
EPISODE 36 SUMMARY & HIGHLIGHTS

What are the four ways to ease anxiety when speaking?

3:16 

1. Practice off-stage

The first step is to practice off-stage what you are going to present on stage. 

It also involves practicing breath control - not doing so could trigger your anxiety and make you lose focus.

5:04

2. Practice Dirty

Often, when we practice our speech, we picture an ideal environment. That may not be the case during the actual presentation. That is why we need to practice dirty. 

"Practicing dirty" means imagining the worst-case scenarios and being prepared to deal with them. Practicing doesn't necessarily refer to speaking; it includes everything that comes along with it- breathing, smiling, pronunciations, pauses, and the like.

6:56

3. Listen to the experts

We often give in to the fear of others' opinions. However, an expert's view would do you more good than the audience's view.

Most people read the room wrong and jump to conclusions. To eliminate this, we need professional advice.

14:37

4. Dig out your strategy

You need to educate yourself about the various strategies out there and choose one that works the best for you.

What are some other tips to reduce your anxiety while public speaking?

18:30

If you feel like your anxiety or stress is intense, you could always consult a doctor. You could even try taking supplements to take the edge off your stress. One such supplement is Pure Calm . 

 KEY QUOTES:

04:32-04:53

“The problem is that people don't know how to breathe. So if you learn how to breathe and practice breathing offstage, when you're on stage, breathing becomes a part of your regular rhythm. It's just part of what you do. A lot of times this simple strategy of breathing to release some of your anxiety becomes cumbersome.”

12:28-12:38

“It's not practice that makes perfect, but it's perfect practice that makes perfect. The more you do it right, the more confident you are going to be when you perform.”

13:34-13:38

“Correct your thoughts with the right actions. Ultimately, those actions lead to emotions, and action again leads to the thought.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED ON THE PODCAST

• Episode – ADVANCE with Mike Acker Episode 4 with Aimee Bruneau
• Carmine Gallo
• Stress ReliefSupplement is Pure Calm . 
• Mike Acker's 2nd Edition of Speak With No Fear - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B096PX4XJ4 

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(Full show notes & more resources visit connect.stepstoadvance.com) 

Check out the YouTube at:
https://www.youtube.com/c/ADVANCEwithMikeAcker 

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To book Mike Acker to speak to your group or facilitate a specific workshop, email:
[email protected]
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INTRODUCTION TO EPISODE 35

Many of us aspire to be promoted and move up the corporate ladder, at one point or another in our lives. But what does it take to get to the top? Is there a specific career strategy you can follow to get yourself promoted?

In this episode of the Advance Podcast, Mike speaks with author and leadership coach Emily Sanders about getting to the top of the leadership structure at your company. Emily discusses her book, Hacking Executive Leadership, shares how she landed the idea for the book and what she wants to convey through the same. We also learn adaptability, having the right lens to view things as a leader, and Emily’s three circles concept that helps you stay cool in the most challenging times. Listen in!

EPISODE 35 SUMMARY & HIGHLIGHTS

What is the idea behind hacking executive leadership?

4:35

Everyone is their own person, and they have their own set of experiences. Hacking into what unlocks the next level of leadership for every one is going to be unique. You have to hack your own code, and go into the matrix. This is the general idea behind hacking executive leadership.

Why do people want to be an executive or a top level leader, at a company that they might work at?

5:38

There are many motivations for that. Some people want to be able to say that they are at that position, some other people want to serve their team better -  take them to the next level, or they could be ambitious and want responsibility and power.

What do you mean by the concept of swizzle?

7:24

The concept of swizzle revolves around adaptability. Every person is different. Every stage or opportunity is different. Your ability to adapt makes you the best at whatever you do.

Why do you think adaptability is so important for the executive leader?

9:33

As you move up, you get more difficult and complex problems to solve in your career.  Nothing gets to your desk without some really smart people working on getting it there. So you have to think creatively and draw on different resources that you have from all areas of your life. The concept of swizzle revolves around taking lessons from the different areas in life and applying it when you need to in any other area.

What does it mean to have the right lens as a leader?

....

RESOURCES MENTIONED ON THE PODCAST

●      Video - Adaptability by General Stan McChrystal

●      Person - Floyd Mayweather, champion boxer

CONNECT WITH EMILY

Website

Book - Hacking Executive Leadership by Emily Sanders

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(Full show notes & more resources visit connect.stepstoadvance.com) 

Check out the YouTube at:
https://www.youtube.com/c/ADVANCEwithMikeAcker 

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To book Mike Acker to speak to your group or facilitate a specific workshop, email:
[email protected]
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INTRODUCTION TO EPISODE 34

It can be a tricky conversation to have, but teaching your kids financial management from a young age can help instill good money habits now and into the future. When you show them how to make money and what to do with the money earned, you’re equipping them with business skills early on in their life.

In this episode, Mike Acker shares how to speak to your kids about finances and how to raise their learning bar to help them achieve what they’re truly capable of. We learn the five areas of finances to teach our kids and how to make them understand the same. Listen in!

EPISODE 34 SUMMARY & HIGHLIGHTS

What are the five areas of financial management that you can teach your kids?

4:16

1. Investment

You can teach your kids about the capital that goes behind starting a business. Make them understand that when starting a business, some money needs to be put behind it. 

7:25

1. Business expenses

There are three types of business expenses that you could talk to your kids about. These are - fixed, variable, and periodic expenses.

10:25

1. Labour

Talk to your kids about paying people for the work they do. Make them understand that this amount is proportional to the overall effort they put in the business.

11:36

1. Revenue

Show your kids how there’s revenue that is going to come in from their business.

12:06

1. Profit

Teach your kids what profit basically means. Make them understand the simple math behind calculating profits - expenses (labour plus business expenses) minus revenue equals profit.

KEY QUOTES:

13:22-13:31

“Know your kids. Know your grandkids. Know them and believe that they’re able to do more than you currently do.”

13:48-14:03

“Teach them now the basics of business, financial management, and they’re going to be so far ahead of the game that they’ll be able to advance someday. You'll be laying back and living off the incredible work that your kids do.”

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(Full show notes & more resources visit connect.stepstoadvance.com) 

Check out the YouTube at:
https://www.youtube.com/c/ADVANCEwithMikeAcker 

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To book Mike Acker to speak to your group or facilitate a specific workshop, email:
[email protected]
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INTRODUCTION TO EPISODE 33

If you think that your kids cannot understand business fundamentals at a young age, this episode will do the job of flipping your thoughts over.

Teaching your kids basic entrepreneurial skills now could help pave their way for future endeavors. Today, we learn the four simple questions you could ask your children to teach them business fundamentals at an early age and what areas of entrepreneurship you're showing them in the process.

Mike shares exactly how he implemented the idea to teach his son the same. Listen in!

EPISODE 33 SUMMARY & HIGHLIGHTS

What are the four areas of entrepreneurship that you could show your kids at an early age? What are the questions you could ask them to help them learn the same?

3:26

1. Market Research

Where and what - Ask your kids what opportunities they think lie for them to make use of. Ask them what skills they have to grab the opportunity.

This way, you’re teaching them to do market research. 

7:26

1. Marketing

How -  Ask your kids how they are going to get the word out. Guide them, but also listen to them, make them feel understood.

This is how you’re teaching your kids marketing. You’re teaching them to market their business strategy at a basic level.

10:44

1. Personnel

Who - Discuss with your kids who is going to do the job of putting their word out there.

This way, you are teaching them about involving different people in the business.

12:44

1. Finance

Show them that once they get their work done, they’re going to get paid for it. We’ll discuss more about this in the next episode!

 
KEY QUOTES:

8:47-8:59

“Be careful here that as a parent, as a business leader, as someone who's an adult, you don't trump their enthusiasm, and you don't fix the problem for them.”

7:50-8:08

“Don't limit your kids at whatever level they're at, don't say they're just kids. When we do that we are shortening their leadership, just like if you're running an organization, you say, Oh, well, he's just this role. Don't cap out their potential. I'm all about realizing people's potential.”

14:41-14:52

“If we get money that we didn't pay for sometimes without the right mindset, it throws off our mindset for the regular work that we do. It shifts it and I don't want to shift it away from him understanding money.”

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(Full show notes & more resources visit connect.stepstoadvance.com) 

Check out the YouTube at:
https://www.youtube.com/c/ADVANCEwithMikeAcker 

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To book Mike Acker to speak to your group or facilitate a specific workshop, email:
[email protected]
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INTRODUCTION TO EPISODE 32

Money management is undoubtedly a crucial skill your kids will have to learn as they grow up. By teaching them that when they're little, you're preparing them to make great financial decisions later in life.

Over the next three weeks, we'll be talking about leading and speaking to your kids in a way that sets them up for success in the future. In today's episode, Mike discusses the importance of teaching kids money management at an early age and how to do that in a way that is not only effective but also enjoyable. Listen in!

EPISODE 32 SUMMARY & HIGHLIGHTS

Why is money management an important skill to teach kids today?

1:46

Many of the wildly successful CEOs started when they were kids. They created a business or an endeavor early on. Learning work ethics, entrepreneurship, and the associated skills at an early age worked in their favor later on. 

Money management is one such skill that can help your kids in their times ahead.

What are the three things you could practice with your kids to teach them about money?

5:04

1. Mindset -  Sometimes, we just want money to fall into our laps. It is important in those times to remember that money comes from work, that it is when we work, we can get others to work and be smart in it. Get the right mindset for yourself, and then teach your kids what goes behind making the money you have in your life. 

Teach them that when you work, in the end, it produces income. Also, make them understand that different people make different amounts of money, which doesn’t make anyone good or bad. 

10:29

1. Commission -  Pay your kids commission for the different things they do around the house. Show them how they could be rewarded for doing the tasks they’re assigned to. 

By doing this, you’re not only rewarding them for doing the tasks well, you’re also teaching them math. You’re teaching them financial management and responsibility. And beyond commission, you’re teaching them how to do business.

17:35

1. Reinforcement - Practice the skill again and again every day. Talk about this to other parents, other kids, their friends - reinforce it. 

So the next time they really want something, and you show them how to buy it using their own money, they’ll make wiser decisions. You’re hence preparing them for their future.

KEY QUOTES (in show notes at connect.stepstoadvance.com)

RESOURCED MENTIONED ON THE PODCAST:

●      Books:

○      Storytime Book Set: Teaching Kids How To Win With Money

○      Money Honey by Rachel Richards

●      Course:

○      Financial Peace by Dave Ramsey

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(Full show notes & more resources visit connect.stepstoadvance.com) 

Check out the YouTube at:
https://www.youtube.com/c/ADVANCEwithMikeAcker 

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To book Mike Acker to speak to your group or facilitate a specific workshop, email:
[email protected]
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INTRODUCTION TO EPISODE 31

One of the most effective skills of a good speaker is their ability to be in the moment while they deliver. Reliving the past or constantly worrying about the future takes away the opportunity of presenting well when you have to.

How do you cultivate the habit of being in the present?

In this episode of the Advance podcast, Mike discusses our tendency to gravitate towards the future or regret past experiences while communicating. We learn how to converge our thoughts to focus on the present and understand the three main stages of professional communication. Listen in!

EPISODE 31 SUMMARY & HIGHLIGHTS

How do you overcome the fear of public speaking?

4:22

To overcome the fear of public speaking, you should embrace the strategy of being in the moment. Do not go reliving the past or think about the future. When it comes to speaking, there are three moments- Preparation, Presentation, and Reflection. 

What are the three stages of your speaking?

5:33

1. Preparation -  Get caught up in the moment while you’re preparing your speech. Discipline your mind and do not think about the moment when you're presenting that information. Think only about preparing that information, about who is giving you that content, all the different particulars of that content, or about how the statistics came. 

9:50

1. Presentation - Be less concerned about how you do and more concerned about what your audience gets across.

12:30

1. Reflection - Reflect on what you delivered. This is important because you are going to have to give another speech at some point in time. And reflecting on your present speech would help then.

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(Full show notes & more resources visit connect.stepstoadvance.com) 

Check out the YouTube at:
https://www.youtube.com/c/ADVANCEwithMikeAcker 

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To book Mike Acker to speak to your group or facilitate a specific workshop, email:
[email protected]
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INTRODUCTION TO EPISODE 30

Are you someone who has a story, idea, or expertise to share with people but are hesitant to write a book? 

When you write and publish your book, you establish yourself through it. It is an incredible way for you to convey that you and your ideas are here to stay. In this episode of the Advance podcast, Mike Acker shares his journey writing his top-rated books, discusses the benefits of writing books, and how to do it. We also understand ghostwriting as a means to help you in the process and see how it maintains your authorship. Listen in! 

We're launching a new segment called Masters of Employee Development soon on our podcast. We will be inviting successful entrepreneur and e-commerce seller Ben Cummings to do some interviews with Mike there. Stay tuned!

EPISODE 30 SUMMARY & HIGHLIGHTS

Why should you write a book?

9:04

The first reason you should write a book is because it helps you share your ideas, expertise, and story with people.

11:21

It helps you build your business or extend your influence.

14:00

Writing a book helps in establishing your brand. Your book says a lot about you. This is why people spend a lot of time thinking through what's going to be inside.

17:15

When you write a book, you're leaving behind a legacy.

...

(Full show notes & more resources visit connect.stepstoadvance.com) 

Check out the YouTube at:
https://www.youtube.com/c/ADVANCEwithMikeAcker 

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To book Mike Acker to speak to your group or facilitate a specific workshop, email:
[email protected]
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