Becoming Preferred

SEASON: 1 EPISODE: 11

Episode Overview:

If you’re looking to discover better ways of using LinkedIn as a business tool that can amplify your presence, network, reputation, and opportunities, you will enjoy my conversation with Author, Speaker & LinkedIn Expert, Teddy Burriss. In our conversation, Teddy shares some tips, tricks, and best practices to help you get discovered and learn new ways to generate the best leads, find your next great job, and connect with industry influencers. Join me now for my conversation with Teddy Burriss.

Guest Bio:

Teddy Burriss is a LinkedIn expert, social media consultant, columnist, speaker and author who shares with his audiences, steps to achieve success in business by building relationships and developing relationships and developing leads through the use of LinkedIn as a business tool.

Teddy has used LinkedIn as a business tool for over 10 years and he knows what works (and what doesn’t) when using LinkedIn to develop business relationships.

Teddy is dedicated to his local community, especially to those that are unemployed. His business success allows him to volunteer 50 percent of his time as a Career Transition Coach to help individuals in need of finding suitable employment.

Resource Links:

• Website:  http://www.burrissconsulting.com
• Product Link: https://www.burrissconsulting.com/linkedin-coaching

Insight Gold Timestamps:

05:03 Who should be using LinkedIn?

12:29 Three areas to focus on

12:50 What are the things people absolutely must have in their profile?

14:54 You don't know who they know that you need to know

16:57 Ask the person to introduce you to the person that they know, that you would like to connect with.

17:45 I’m going to ask two questions….

27:01 If you're a serious prospector, you better be using Sales Navigator

28:32 Use your words and engage on content

30:18 The 90/10 Rule

37:12 The value of groups

Connect Socially:

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/tlburriss

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tlburriss

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TLBurriss

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/tlburriss

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tlburriss/

Quora: https://masterlinkedin.quora.com/

Email: [email protected]

Sponsors: 

Rainmaker Digital Solutions: https://www.rainmakerdigitalsolutions.com/

Resources: https://becomingpreferred-podcast.com/resources/

Next Episode: Strategically Grow Your LinkedIn Business Connections with Jess Tiffany!

SEASON: 1 EPISODE: 10

Episode Overview:

Kindness is not always seen as a priority in the workplace, especially as it can contrast with the traditional image of a successful entrepreneur. Haven't we been told that 'nice people finish last?' Office culture can be cutthroat and competitive, leading to hurtful criticism, lack of collaboration, and miscommunication.

However, now we are increasingly talking about wellbeing in the workplace, and bringing an authentic quality to our work, being gentle with ourselves, and with others around us. And to help us understand the ROI of kindness, is author, speaker and trainer, Linda Cohen.

Guest Bio: 

Linda Cohen, also known as the Kindness Catalyst, has been a nationally recognized kindness expert and professional speaker for over a decade. She works with a wide variety of businesses and associations on the ROI of Kindness. Her 2nd book The Economy of Kindness: How Kindness Transforms Your Bottom Line was published in October 2021.

A culture of kindness improves team performance and company morale. Acts of kindness strengthen employee engagement. Kindness practices help build stronger organizations live and virtually.

Linda’s virtual and live programs are highly interactive and go well beyond Q & A with customized activities that allow for laughter, team recognition, and significant connection. Linda customizes and creates one of a kind engaging and fun programs for each audience to help everyone Reimagine Kindness.

Resource Links:

• Website:  https://lindacohenconsulting.com
• Product Link: https://lindacohenconsulting.com/books/

Insight Gold Timestamps:

04:39 What holds you back from being kind 

06:32 Both kindness and unkindness are contagious

07:45 Every one of us is shouldering a burden right now

14:49 Authenticity, vulnerability and kindness are not weaknesses 

18:02 Recognition program

22:12 A formula for kindness

26:47 A thousand Mitzvahs project

28:12 Elevating kindness can combat burnout

Connect Socially:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindamcohen/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Lindacohenconsulting

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mitzvahs

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5lAntSBrci96bweWlDNMKg

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kindnessfromcohen/

Email: [email protected]

Sponsors: 

Rainmaker Digital Solutions: https://www.rainmakerdigitalsolutions.com/

Resources: https://becomingpreferred-podcast.com/resources/

Next Episode:  Building a Relevant and Meaningful LinkedIn Network with Teddy Burriss!

SEASON 1: EPISODE: 9

Episode Overview: 

Are you ready to live the life you love? What is your passion… really? What do you love? What are your goals? Do you feel stuck or frustrated with a job, relationship, or other life situation? Then this episode is for you. Embracing Greatness takes the lid off previously held beliefs you have about yourself and the world around you. The process revealed in this episode helps you uncover the special contributions you’re meant to make in the world and action steps toward them. Get ready to transform your life – your relationships, emotional and physical health, financial freedom, happiness, business and creative expression. Join me now for my conversation with professional and personal development expert, speaker, and best selling author, Sophia Falke.

Guest Bio: 

Sophia is an experienced coach, seminar leader, trainer, and motivational speaker. Sophia has a Masters in Industrial and Labor Relations and a Bachelors in English Education. Sophia received her coaching certification through the International Coach Federation authorized training center the Academy for Coaching Excellence in Sacramento, CA.

Her style is personable and straightforward. Her comfortable approach brings a sense of spaciousness to any coaching or seminar interaction whether it is a corporate function, professional exposition, or a one-on-one situation.

Resource Links:

• Website: https://www.EmbracingGreatness.com
• Product Link: https://www.EmbracingGreatness.com/products

Insight Gold Timestamps:

07:09 We all have the same needs

08:46 What would you love?

10:25 Identifying negative self talk

13:06 Imagine yourself in three years

17:14 Celebrate tiny wins and triumphs

18:11 Take the leap of faith

22:49 The SWOT Analysis

Connect Socially:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophiafalke/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057512795429 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/SophiaFalke 

Email: [email protected] 

Sponsors: 

Rainmaker Digital Solutions: https://www.rainmakerdigitalsolutions.com/

Resources: https://becomingpreferred-podcast.com/resources/

Next Episode: Discover the Return on Investment of Kindness (ROI) with Linda Cohen!

SEASON: 1 EPISODE: 8

Episode Overview:

Walt Disney said, “If we can dream it, we can do it.” And, “It’s kind of fun to do the impossible.” Millions of people concur with these sentiments. But some cannot even comprehend them. Most of us need assistance to believe our dreams will work. We all know how to dream, but do we know how to allow our dreams to transform into reality? That may sound like a silly question, after all, living our dreams requires work, right? If you would like to learn how to DO more, SEE more, BE more, HAVE more, and GIVE More, and learn how to transform your dreams into reality, you are going to enjoy my conversation with Larry Stevenson.

Guest Bio: 

Larry’s passion and purpose for 40+ years involves helping people and organizations let their dreams work. He loves to to see people and businesses BE More, SEE More, DO More, HAVE More, and GIVE More. Larry offers offers multiple channels and formats to Let Your Dreams Work for individuals & organizations, including training, workshops, and his own podcast. 

Larry has authored 6 books including Get Free Money for College! Enjoy $100,000s in Scholarships--at Any Age! & Problems at Work: That Can Cost You Your Job or Stall Your Career.

Resource Links:

• Website:  https://larrrystevenson.mykajabi.com/jobcoachlarrystevenson
• Product Link: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=larry+stevenson&i=stripbooks-intl-ship&crid=2TDQS5P3B3DHM&sprefix=larry+stevenson%2Cstripbooks-intl-ship%2C102&ref=nb_sb_noss

Insight Gold Timestamps:

05:07 Five basic steps for those who really let their dreams work

13:05 Creating a possibility culture

13:33 What do I want to be?

18:53 Optimizing connections

22:19 Don't expect every action to generate great results.

25:25 Create a plan to overcome real limitations

32:13 Abundance Mindset

Connect Socially:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lawrencedstevenson/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/StevensonLD

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/larry.the.scholarship.guy

Email: [email protected]

Podcast: Let Your Dreams Work! with Larry Stevenson

Sponsors: 

Rainmaker Digital Solutions: https://www.rainmakerdigitalsolutions.com/

Resources: https://becomingpreferred-podcast.com/resources/

Next Episode:  Embracing Greatness, Living the Life You Love with Sophia Falke!

SEASON: 1 EPISODE: 7

Episode Overview:

According to the Candid Cajun, straightforward dialogue significantly improves performance. Candor means you care enough to shore up weaknesses. It means capitalizing on strengths and talents. It means you fix flaws. A lack of candor will slow you down and won’t bring improvements to the workplace and can create a toxic environment. By rewarding candor, you create a culture of candor built on trust and respect.

In this episode, our focus with the Candid Cajun is to talk about how respectful candor can give you a strategic advantage and create an environment where trust and respect flourish. Join me now for my conversation with leadership expert Billy Arcement, the Candid Cajun.

Guest Bio: 

Billy Arcement, The Candid Cajun, is an insightful and caring leadership strategist, a 30-year senior corporate manager, and a long-time member of the National Speakers Association. He’s authored six books and writes leadership columns for 44 Business Journals across America.

Billy blends his gumbo of ideas into energizing, enthusiastic, and inspiring presentations. He uses his special blend of ‘Cajun humor’ to drive home his talking points. 

He can quickly grasp reality, assess the impact, and provide workable solutions that remove barriers. He challenges, encourages, and evaluates results helping managers to greater understanding and discernment of their responsibilities.

Resource Links:

• Website:  https://www.searchingforsuccess.com 
• Product Link: https://SearchingForSuccess.com/my-books

Insight Gold Timestamps:

10:37 Listening is one of the great ways to show respect

18:54 Try not to be offensive, ugly or mean

22:40 How do you define relationships

29:33 Strategies to improve your personal and organizational leadership

30:04 The truth is not always pleasant

31:41 The Victory List

32:53 Visualization works

Connect Socially:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/billyarcement/ 

Facebook: https://facebook.com/billy.arcement

Twitter: twitter.com/billyarcement 

Email: [email protected] 

Sponsors: 

Rainmaker Digital Solutions: https://www.rainmakerdigitalsolutions.com/

Resources: https://becomingpreferred-podcast.com/resources/

Next Episode: Teamwork Makes the Dream Work with Larry Stevenson!

SEASON: 1 EPISODE: 6

Episode Overview:

Creative Thinking is something many people struggle with. It’s not taught in schools to the same degree as logical problem-solving. In this episode, we are going to learn how we can generate more creative thought, develop a culture of creative thinking within your organizations and unlock unlimited streams of creativity for professional and business success. 

If you are looking to improve your creative thinking, you will enjoy this conversation with Creativity expert Alan Black who will share some strategies and tactics to help you unlock your creative abilities. Join me now for my conversation with Alan Black.

Guest Bio: 

Since 1980 Alan Black has worked with supervisors, team leaders, department heads, top managers providing leadership, communication, teamwork, creative & strategic thinking, and problem-solving development programs to improve their abilities as leaders by providing keynote presentations, seminars, and strategic thinking training sessions customized for each level of leadership in the organization.

Resource Links:

• Website:  http://www.cre8ng.com/materials/welcome.shtml
• Product Link: http://www.cre8ng.com/materials//book01.htm

Insight Gold Timestamps:

05:40 Where are you going to work at home

07:31 Creativity vs innovation

08:12 I finally learned my lines but they changed the play

12:04 An "Idea Wall"

17:49 Is it true that there’s nothing new under the sun?

27:57 Altered states of consciousness

29:23 Always write your ideas down

32:13 In what ways might I….

Connect Socially:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertalanblackcreativethinkin/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WanderingAlan

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Cre8ngAlan

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/alaniscre8ng

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/robertalanblack/

Email: [email protected]

Sponsors: 

Rainmaker Digital Solutions: https://www.rainmakerdigitalsolutions.com/

Resources: https://becomingpreferred-podcast.com/resources/

Next Episode:  Respect, Relationships & Culture with the Candid Cajun, Billy Arcement!

SEASON: 1 EPISODE: 5

Episode Overview:

Seismic shifts are redefining business, communities, and individual life. Your ability to navigate and leverage them while flawlessly executing today will be the difference between continued excellence, irrelevance, or even extinction. Now is the time to pursue your New Next. In this episode, Randy Pennington shares the specific mindset and strategies leaders need to prepare their organization to flourish in the face of upheaval and uncertainty. Most importantly, he provides a roadmap for developing and sustaining the culture you need to set yourself apart and compete in our new reality. Join me now for my conversation with Randy Pennington.

Guest Bio: 

Randy Pennington is a business performance veteran, author, and an expert in helping organizations build a culture focused on results. His client list includes leading organizations in business, non-profits, and government. Randy focuses on what works in your world—the real world—and he does it in a style that relates to people at every level of every organization.

His personal work experience has taken him from a locker room attendant at a municipal swimming pool to consulting in the Board rooms of corporate America.

Randy is author of the award-winning books Results Rule! and Make Change Work. His insights have appeared in Fast Company, Entrepreneur, the New York Times, and as a contributor to the Huffington Post.

Resource Links:

• Website:  https://www.penningtongroup.com
• Product Link: https://www.penningtongroup.com/books/

Insight Gold Timestamps:

10:34 Emotional readiness

12:03 Positive Paranoia

13:29 No one ever argues with their own ideas

15:14 Changes that we should ignore

25:05 Easier to ride a horse in the direction that it’s going

29:28 Involvement and Support

32:57 Resistance to change is your friend, not your enemy

Connect Socially:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/randygpennington/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RandyGPennington/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/randypennington

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/randygpennington

Email: [email protected]

Sponsors: 

Rainmaker Digital Solutions: https://www.rainmakerdigitalsolutions.com/

Resources: https://becomingpreferred-podcast.com/resources/

Next Episode: SPARK UP Your Creative Thinking and Creativeness at Work with Alan Black!

SEASON: 1 EPISODE: 4

Episode Overview:

As younger generations come of age, older individuals are opting to work longer. While multigenerational workforces present some challenges to employers, they’re arguably more productive and have less turnover than those without generational diversity. 

“Leaders need to look at the multigenerational workforce as a benefit rather than a challenge.” From a tactical standpoint, once you have the mindset that it’s a benefit, you pave the way for healthy discourse, diversity in opinions, and for richness in dialogue.

What types of obstacles does having five generations in today’s workforce present? And how can organizations overcome those challenges?

To help you understand different skills and strategies, and challenges of managing a multi-generational workforce and what you can do to overcome them is my guest…Kit Welchlin.

Guest Bio:

Kit Welchlin began public speaking at the age of 9 in 4-H. By 16, he was organizing and facilitating presentations on leadership, citizenship, community service, and motivation for the 4-H and Future Farmers of America.

Kit purchased his first manufacturing company at age 21, and by 26 was CEO and Chairman of the Board of three manufacturing companies in three states. He’s been an instructor with the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, where he has been repeatedly nominated as Outstanding Faculty. He is also a Professional Member of the National Speakers Association.

Resource Links:

• Website:  https://welchlin.com
• Product Link: https://welchlin.com/products/

Insight Gold Timestamps:

09:23 Understanding the different generations

20:41 Performance appraisal systems

25:25 Generational stereotypes

31:08 General Motors Study

33:56 The clothes make the man

44:04 What’s on your website

Connect Socially:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kitwelchlin/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kwelchlin

Twitter: https://twitter.com/kitwelchlin?lang=en

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/KitWelchlin

Email: [email protected]

Sponsors: 

Rainmaker Digital Solutions: https://www.rainmakerdigitalsolutions.com/

Resources: https://becomingpreferred-podcast.com/resources/

Next Episode:  There is No More New Normal. There is Only a New Next with Randy Pennington!

SEASON: 1 EPISODE: 3

Episode Overview:

Feeling overwhelmed and need a little help? When it comes to mental health in the workplace, people are still reluctant to divulge their issues. In a recent survey, 68% of business professionals worried that reaching out about a mental health issue could negatively impact their job security. Although 50 percent of employees (and 60 percent of Millennial employees) reported having had a mental health lapse, only one-third of those employees reached out to their employers. In this episode Mental Health author, Ted Talk speaker and advocate Michelle Dickinson shares some insights on how businesses can remove the stigma and shame that comes from invisible disabilities. Join me now for my conversation with Michelle.

Guest Bio:

Michelle works to normalize the mental health narrative in the workplace and prevent employee burnout by teaching resilience and mental well-being workshops. She helps leaders gain the confidence to reach out and support their staff if they sense they may be suffering. She has empowered thousands of employees with her resiliency workshops throughout the pandemic. 

Michelle is a Workplace Mental Health Strategist & Consultant and a TED Talk Speaker and a published author of her memoir “Breaking Into My Life – Growing Up with a Bipolar Parent and My Battle to Reclaim Myself”. Because she has worked in the corporate space for over 19 years, suffered from depression herself, and spent her childhood and young adult life caring for her bipolar mother, Michelle gets it! And she knows first-hand what it is like to navigate a mental health imbalance.

Michelle specializes in helping organizations increase inclusion, presentee-ism, and retention while decreasing employee downtime by cultivating a culture of compassion in the workplace.

Resource Links:

• Website: https://www.michelleedickinson.com
• Product Link: https://breakingintomylife.com/book/

Insight Gold Timestamps:

06:04 Sobering statistics 

11:49 The brain is just another organ

25:50 We have to protect our minds

31:31 Coming out of the pandemic

33:57 A gratitude practice

39:32 Digital detox

Connect Socially:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-e-dickinson-mm-🧠♥%EF%B8%8F-7882013/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michelle.dickinson.146?ref=bookmarks

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michelledickinson71/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mdickinson13

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MichelleDickinson-MCTM/videos

Email: [email protected]

Sponsors: 

Rainmaker Digital Solutions: https://www.rainmakerdigitalsolutions.com/

Resources: https://becomingpreferred-podcast.com/resources/

Next Episode: Connecting and Communicating in a Multi-Generational Workplace with Kit Welchlin!

SEASON: 1 EPISODE: 2

Episode Overview:

Thinking about going pro? Ready to up your game? Looking to become more effective and confident while maintaining your authenticity and keeping it real? How much better could you be if you had a world-class success expert? My guest on today’s episode, Jim Cathcart, is considered one of the world’s leading professional speakers (ranked top 1% of the top 1% of speakers and business authors. Jim has delivered his message globally over 3000 times, and his 23 books have been helping individuals, business professionals, and entrepreneurs like you achieve more significant results. Join me now for an informative conversation with Jim Cathcart.

Guest Bio:

Jim is considered one of the world's leading professional speakers and business authors, at the top of the top 1%. His TEDx video garnered over 2.5 million views. He has presented over 3,300 speeches in every US state and worldwide. Jim Cathcart is one of only five speakers in the world who hold all of the following honors: past president of the National Speakers Association (NSA), recipient of the Cavett Award, member of the Speaker Hall of Fame (CPAE), Certified Speaking Professional (CSP), a 29-year member of the exclusive Speakers Roundtable (20 of the world's top speakers) and he received the Golden Gavel Award from Toastmasters International. In 2022 he was chosen as #7 of the Top 30 Global Sales Gurus and #19 of the Top Motivational Speakers. He was also inducted into the International Sales & Marketing Hall of Fame.

Insight Gold Timestamps:

04:35 What inspired you?

06:04 What are your failures?

13:21 Talk about Mindset

23:20 COMMERCIAL: Looking to drive growth?

35.40 Developed coaching from 23 books

39:28 Velocity and commitment

43:03 Wrap Up

Resource Links:

Jim's books on Amazon

Going Pro Coaching: https://cathcart.com/hire-jim/

Connect Socially

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathcartinstitute/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jim.cathcart

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ki9-oaPwHs

Sponsors: 

Rainmaker Digital Solutions: https://www.rainmakerdigitalsolutions.com/

Resources: https://becomingpreferred-podcast.com/resources/

Next Episode: Mental Health in the Workplace with Michelle Dickinson!